It is rivalry week at University Soccer Stadium. Who has two thumbs slightly above the spacebar and can't wait? The guy who just gave away the punchline.
 
The members of the Chico State, Sonoma State, and Humboldt State men's soccer teams are undoubtedly fired up as well.
 
In their 58^th season as an intercollegiate athletic program, the Wildcats men's soccer team will face Sonoma State for the 65^th time Friday afternoon at 4:30 and Humboldt State for the 70^th time Sunday morning at 11:30.
 
They are all formerly of the Northern California Athletic Conference and currently members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). And some of the conference matches that have been produced among the most memorable in program history.
 
Miss either of these matches, and you might just miss another.
 
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
Sonoma State at Chico State
4:30 p.m. PDT, University Soccer Stadium, Chico
• Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/chico/
• LiveStats: https://chicowildcats.com/sidearmstats/msoc/summary
 
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
Humboldt State at Chico State
11:30 a.m. PDT, University Soccer Stadium, Chico
• Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/chico/
• LiveStats: https://chicowildcats.com/sidearmstats/msoc/summary
 
 
WILDCATS NEWS
Midway through its CCAA schedule, Chico State is 7-3-1 overall and 4-2-0 in conference play. The Wildcats are tied for fifth in the conference but have two matches in hand on fourth-place San Francisco State, which they trail by only two points. Cal State LA is well ahead of the pack at 7-0-1, but Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona are within striking distance at 5-1 apiece.
 
The top six teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the CCAA Tournament.

 
Chico State's Jeremiah Egujie leads the conference with a trio of match-winning goals among his team-leading six. The senior from Benin City, Nigeria, also ranks among the conference's top 10 in goals and points. Meanwhile, Eddie Zecena ranks tied for fifth with his team-high four assists.
 
Wildcats goalkeeper Damion Lewis ranks third in goals-against average and saves percentage. He hasn't had to make many saves, however, thanks to a stout defense. In 11 matches, Lewis has turned away 31 of 38 shots.  
 
Chico State rose one spot in the United Soccer Coaches West Regional rankings to No. 6 this week.
 
Scouting the Opponents
Sonoma State (2-7-3, 0-6-2 CCAA)—It's been a rare down year for the Seawolves, who are on the way to their first losing season since 1998. After starting 2-1, the Seawolves have not won since Sept. 7.  
 
They've scuffled on both sides of the pitch, scoring more than once only one time in their last nine matches, while registering only a single shutout all season.
 
However, no matter the records, these teams are always involved in tight matches. Last season's scoreless draw in Rohnert Park was no exception. In fact, the teams have met 15 times during Felipe Restrepo's tenure as the Wildcats head coach. The Wildcats are 5-6-4 in those matches.
 
Chico State has gone unbeaten (1-0-2) in its last three home matches against Sonoma State, which has not won in Chico since Sept. 9, 2011. During Restrepo's tenure, the Wildcats are 3-2-2 against the Seawolves at home.
 
Sonoma State leads the all-time series 32-26-6.
 
Humboldt State (4-6-2, 1-5-2 CCAA)—The Lumberjacks got off to a promising start at 3-1-2, but have lost five of six since, including their last three, heading into Friday's match at Stanislaus State.
 
They have struggled offensively, scoring just three times in their last five matches and never more than once since Sept. 9.
 
Chico State has won the last nine meetings between these teams and the overall series 49-14-6. The last time the Lumberjacks beat the Wildcats was Oct. 25, 2009 in Chico.
 
They kept the streak alive in thrilling fashion last season in Arcata as Justin Bethke scored his first collegiate goal in the fourth minute of the second overtime period.