Men's Soccer | 9/19/2019 5:05:00 PM

One of the 2018 Chico State men's soccer team's most exciting matches took place at Fresno Pacific and ended in a 2-2 draw. The rematch, and the teams' second meeting since 2003, is set for Friday at 6 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium. The Wildcats will wrap up their non-conference slate Sunday against Academy of Art, a side they have not faced since 2015. That one is scheduled to kick off at noon.
 
Chico State enters the weekend 2-0-0 after a pair of impressive victories. The Wildcats opened the season with a 2-1 victory at Western Washington and followed with a 3-1 home result against Concordia–Portland.
 
Garrett Hogbin and Matt Hafizi lead the team with two goals apiece. Four different Wildcats have registered an assist.
 
That quick start has the Wildcats up to No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches West Region rankings. They are 15-6-1 overall and 5-1-1 against non-conference opponents since the start of last season. During that same stretch, the Wildcats are 10-2-0 at home at University Soccer Stadium where outscored the opposition by a combined 19-3.
 
Fresno Pacific opened the season ranked No. 25 in the nation but dropped out after dropping their first four matches. The Sunbirds seemed to have started to turn the corner, however. They led then-10^th-ranked (now No. 7) Cal State LA late before the Golden Eagles rallied with two second-half goals. On Wednesday they nabbed their first win, knocking off Sonoma State 3-2.
 
Last season in Fresno, the Wildcats twice took a first-half lead, and each time, Fresno Pacific found the equalizer. Neither team scored in the tense 65 minutes that ensued and featured 19 whistles for fouls, two cautions, and two red cards.
 
The Wildcats are 2-0-1 all-time against Academy of Art. Their last meeting, in 2015, ended in a 1-1 draw at historic Kezar Stadium. The Urban Knights are 0-4 this season and have been outscored 11-1.
 
Fresno Pacific was picked by the conference's coaches to finish second in the PacWest Preseason Poll. Academy of Art was picked 10^th.
 
Chico State was picked to finish fifth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Chico State students with a valid student ID get in free to all regular season intercollegiate athletics events.
 
As always, links to live streaming video and live stats are available at www.chicowildcats.com.