Erin Woods was in the right place at the right times to lift the Chico State women's soccer team to a thrilling 2–1 victory over defending Pacific West Champion Azusa Pacific Thursday night in their 2017 home opener.
 
Woods ran onto Nicole Marquez's deflected free kick and pounded it home with 1:42 remaining in regulation to force overtime. Then, in the first sudden-victory overtime period, she scored the golden goal by cleaning up Pooja Patel's shot that was tipped off the post by the keeper and fell to her feet, giving the Wildcats the victory.
 
Woods now has a California Collegiate Athletic Association-leading four goals this season for the Wildcats, who are 2-1. Azusa Pacific dipped to 0-2.
 
The visiting Cougars led for most of the night, scoring just 1:42 into the match on a cross that pinged around in the box before falling to Cara Scammon, who beat Chico State keeper Claire Abele inside the near post.

 
Abele was solid all night and kept the Wildcats alive with a pair of great saves.
 
Despite playing very well after the opening minutes, it seemed as though the Wildcats would go down to defeat. They outshot the Cougars 21-12 and enjoyed a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.

But until Marquez's blast from 35 yards dipped and squeezed under the diving goalkeeper, bounced toward the far post, and Woods directed it in, it did not look as though they would be rewarded for their strong play.
 
Patel set up the match winning goal with a strong run down the right flank and then cut back inside at the top of the box. With a small window to work in, Patel unleashed a left-footed blast. The goalkeeper leapt to get a hand on it, deflecting it up and off the crossbar. It bounded into the air toward the far post. When it landed Woods was there to knock it home.
 
Chico State is back in action and looking for its third straight victory Saturday at 4 p.m. against Dominican.