GOLDEN, Colorado—The young and inexperienced Chico State women's soccer team knew it was facing a tall order in the Mile High City. And though the Wildcats came up a bit short in a 2-1 loss to 15^th-ranked Colorado School of Mines in Friday night's season opener,  they walked out of Stermole Soccer Stadium with a lot to be hopeful about regarding the upcoming 2019 season.
 
After allowing a goal just 83 seconds in the match, the Wildcats—who featured four true freshmen and three sophomores in their starting lineup—appeared to be getting their feet underneath them. They took five of the next six shots, three of which Mines goalkeeper Shannon Mooney was forced to save.
 
But in the 26^th minute, all that momentum stalled out when the Orediggers struck again for a 2-0 lead.
 
A Mines own-goal cut the lead in half in the 53^rd minute, giving the Wildcats life, and one of those freshmen, Camille Lidster, nearly nailed the equalizer 10 minutes later. However, her shot ricocheted off the left post. That turned out to be the final chance the 'Cats could muster against Mooney, who entered the season second among active Division II goalkeepers with a career goals-against average of 0.45, and the vaunted Orediggers defense that routinely ranks among the nation's best.
 
The three true freshmen who joined Lidster in the starting lineup were Chloe King, Mackenzie Gill, and Alexi Vontsolos. True freshmen Marissa Martin and Hannah Poirier also debuted off the bench.
 
The Wildcats will be back in action Sunday at 11 a.m., Pacific, when they take on Regis University in Denver. The Rangers also opened their season Friday and played visiting San Francisco to a 1-1 draw.
 
Fans can follow the action via STREAMING VIDEO and LIVE STATS.