TURLOCK—It was good news, pretty good news for the Chico State women's soccer team Wednesday.
 
The Wildcats learned Wednesday afternoon that they are ranked No. 4 in the West Region in the inaugural 2018 NCAA West Regional rankings. On Monday, Nov. 5, that same committee will announce which of the region's seven teams are selected for the NCAA Championship Tournament.
 
Wednesday night, the Wildcats nearly pulled off a big road win at Stanislaus State that would have tied the program record for consecutive wins at eight. But they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after the Warriors scored the equalizer in the 87^th minute.
 
Susanna Garcia scored in the 41^st minute, assisted by Abbie Jones, to give Chico State the lead.
 
The Wildcats started the day one of eight unbeaten teams in the nation and improved to 8-0-5 overall and 7-0-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. With the point for the tie, the Wildcats also ascended to the top of the conference table. They now have 23 points and three matches remaining (teams receive three for a win and one for a tie). Sonoma State has 22 points and two matches remaining. UC San Diego has 21 points and four matches remaining.

 
Stanislaus State is now 7-5-3 at home and 3-4-2 in the CCAA.
 
Garcia's second goal in three matches and fourth of the season came on a quick strike. Jones won a throw-in deep in Chico State territory, and soon after, got the ball back from Sarah Emigh. Jones one-timed the ball over the top of the Stanislaus State defense, perhaps catching the Warriors defenders on their heels.
 
Garcia was on her toes.
 
The freshman outran her defenders to the ball about 30 yards out and directly in front of the goal. She dribbled twice, all the while keeping the defender on her back. Knocked off balance as she entered the 18-yard box, Garcia stayed upright just enough to touch the ball around the goalkeeper as she slid in to challenge. Garcia caught up to the ball directly in front of the right post and slipped her shot between the legs of a second defender and into the back of the net.
 
The Warriors equalized in the 87^th minute. The play started with a free kick from 45 yards out that sailed to the top of the 18-yard box. The ball was volleyed around momentarily before it was flicked on to Sadie Ortiz right on the top of the 18-yard box. The junior quickly touched the ball back to her left foot in traffic and then hit a screamer into the top shelf to tie the match.
 
It was just the fifth goal allowed by Wildcats goalkeeper Brenna Meier in 10 starts. But Meier had nothing to hang her head about. The shot was high quality, and Meier made six saves, some of them brilliant.
 
The most brilliant came in the 105^th minute: a match-saving kick save from inside the six-yard box.
 
The Wildcats will wrap up their regular-season road schedule Sunday at San Francisco State before finishing the regular season with two home matches the following week.