When the Chico State women's soccer team takes the University Soccer Stadium pitch this Thursday and Saturday, it might mark the final two chances for the home fans to see the Wildcats' senior class in action. If everything goes according to the Wildcats' plans, it will be, barring an NCAA Championship Tournament Regional hosting opportunity.
 
The Wildcats host Cal State San Marcos Thursday afternoon at 4:30 and UC San Diego Saturday morning at 11:30. Both matches are packed with postseason import.
 
Chico State enters its final two regular-season matches in a tie for second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings and ranked No. 4 in the West Region. UC San Diego—ranked No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the West—sits atop the CCAA table. Cal State San Marcos is fifth in the CCAA standings, but only three points out of second. (Teams receive one point for each tie and three points for each win.)

Thursday is also Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry Night at University Soccer Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring a donation. A

2018 California State University research survey found that 50% of Chico State students experience low to very low food security. The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry was founded on the simple belief that all students should have access to healthy food. To date, through the generous support of students, faculty, staff and the community we have distributed healthy food to more than 6,500 students.

Canned and boxed foods, hygiene products and cash donations will all be accepted. Currently, the pantry is especially in need of canned protein (black and refried beans, chicken, and fish), canned meals (stews, chili, soups), hygiene products, and healthy snacks (protein bars, nuts, dried fruit). You can also text "chicocares" to 71777 to make a monetary donation or simply click the "Donate to the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry" button on the top of this page.
 
Last season, fans contributed roughly 1,000 food items and $500 in cash donations. We would love it if you could help us to give even more this season!
 
Saturday, the Wildcats' senior class will be honored prior to an 11:30 a.m. kickoff, so please come early!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25
Cal State San Marcos at Chico State
4:30 p.m. PDT, University Soccer Stadium, Chico
• Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/chico/
• LiveStats: https://chicowildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
UC San Diego at Chico State
11:30 a.m. PDT, University Soccer Stadium, Chico
• Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/chico/
• LiveStats: https://chicowildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
 
 
Wildcats News
The senior class—Devon Morones, Jamie Ikeda, Erin Woods, Korie Bozart, Juliana Los, and Brenna Meier—have carved out quite a legacy. Thanks in large part to their talent and leadership, Chico State is unbeaten in its last 21 home matches (14-0-7)—a school record—having not lost at University Soccer Stadium since Oct. 2, 2016.
 
Morones is a captain who has delivered a match-winning goal and match-winning assist this season. Ikeda has helped to anchor one of the nation's stingiest defenses. Woods is the program's active career leader in goals and assists. Los has delivered a goal and assist this season and two goals and three assists in her three seasons with the team. Meier has been simply magnificent in goal and boasts the lowest career goals-against average in the program's history.
 
The Wildcats will attempt to further that legacy and enhance their postseason positioning this week. With two wins, they would lock down one of two first-round byes in the upcoming CCAA Tournament, and position themselves for the CCAA's regular-season title should UC San Diego stumble Thursday at Stanislaus State. With a win Thursday, they would capture one of the top three seeds in the CCAA Tournament. And with at least one tie this week, they would secure no worse than a first-round home match Tuesday night.
 
These results, along with the team's CCAA Tournament outcome, will also be important to its NCAA Championship Tournament resume.

Scouting the Opponents
Cal State San Marcos (7-5-3, 6-2-2 CCAA)—The Cougars will be playing just their fifth road match of the season Thursday. They are 1-2-1 away from home thus far.

Cal State San Marcos has already locked up a CCAA Tournament berth, but the Cougars could finish anywhere between second and fifth depending on their results this weekend.
 
The Wildcats are 1-2-1 all-time against Cal State San Marcos, including 1-0-1 at home. They met twice last season. The Cougars won 2-1 in Oceanside in mid-September. They met again in the opening round of the CCAA Tournament in Chico. The match ended in a 1-1 draw before the Cougars advanced to the tournament semifinals on penalty kicks.
 
UC San Diego (14-1-1, 9-1-0 CCAA)—The Tritons are riding a five-match winning and shutout streak and would guarantee themselves the conference crown with a win against either Stanislaus State Thursday or Chico State Saturday, or ties in each of those matchups.
 
The Tritons are currently ranked No. 1 in the West Region, and barring a late-season collapse, will likely be chosen as an NCAA Tournament host site.
 
UC San Diego leads the all-time series 14-5-4. However, in the last five matches in Chico, each team has a win with three ties in between. The Wildcats' last home win against the Tritons came in 2009.