AZUSA—Because bleacher seating is very limited, fans are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to the Chico State men's soccer team's NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional opener against Cal State LA Thursday night at 7 on the campus of Azusa Pacific. But if the last eight meetings between the teams are any indication—all decided by one goal or a tie, including four in overtime—(this part best read in a monster truck commercial voice) fans will only need the edge (edge, edge, edge…)!
 
Only 38 teams are selected for the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship Tournament, so just getting the call is quite the accomplishment. But the Wildcats have bigger things in mind.
 
"It's down to 38 (teams)," Chico State Head Coach Felipe Restrepo told his team after they learned of their selection. "Let that sink in. You can see it and you can feel it. Now you just have to go on a run."
 
A win against Cal State LA Thursday would be a great way to start for the Wildcats. The Golden Eagles have beaten Chico State in each of their last five meetings, all by one goal, and sometimes in gut-wrenching fashion.
 
Last Friday's California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament semifinal is a prime example. The match was scoreless until the Golden Eagles broke through with a contentious goal with 23 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
 
The Wildcats feared the bitter loss would mark the end of their season. But a strong overall season, in which they went 13-5-1, earned them the right to continue.
 
The winner of Thursday's match will face No. 2 seed and sub-regional host Azusa Pacific Saturday at 6 p.m. with a berth in the NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional final (essentially, the sweet 16) on the line.
 
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Chico State vs. Cal State LA
7 p.m. PDT, Cougar Soccer Complex, Azusa
• Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/apu/portal.htm?eventId=487389&streamType=video
• LiveStats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/apu/stats.htm?eventId=487389&streamType=video
• Tickets: http://www.apu.edu/eventcenter/tickets/ Tickets can also be purchased at the Cougar Soccer Complex entrance one hour prior to the start of each game, or by phone (626-815-6016). Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors (55 & older) and students with a valid ID. Children (2 & younger) get in free.
 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Chico/Cal State LA winner at Azusa Pacific
6 p.m. PDT, Cougar Soccer Complex, Azusa
• Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/apu/portal.htm?eventId=487390&streamType=video
• LiveStats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/apu/stats.htm?eventId=487390&streamType=video
 
The Wildcats are making their 15^th NCAA Championship Tournament appearance and fourth in the past nine seasons.

Scouting the Opponents
Cal State LA (14-2-3)—Ranked No. 18 in the nation, the Golden Eagles bring a streak of five consecutive shutouts into the match. They've kept opponents off the board 14 times in 19 matches.
 
They can also be explosive offensively and have scored 31 goals in their last 13 matches.
 
The Golden Eagles' winning streak against Chico State dates back to the the 2016 season. Chico State last tied Cal State LA on Oct. 11, 2015, in Los Angeles. The Wildcats last beat the Golden Eagles on Sept. 7, 2012, in Chico.
 
Cal State LA leads the all-time series 17-6-5.