Men's Soccer | 9/7/2019 10:48:00 PM

SEATTLE—Lightning struck twice for the Chico State men's soccer team on the opening week of 2019. First the Wildcats knocked off Western Washington 2-1 Thursday in Bellingham. Then on Saturday night in Seattle, a long lightning storm resulted a no-contest between Chico State and Seattle Pacific University at Interbay Stadium.
 
The Wildcats were out-shooting SPU 8-4 but trailed 1-0 when the delay initially took place with 10:16 to play in the first half. The lightning continued well into the night.
 
Because the NCAA Soccer Rule Book dictates that: "Once a game has been started and suspended, it must be restarted no later than three hours after the actual start time…" and "If the conditions leading to a suspended game persist and the game is not resumed the same day, the game shall be considered "no contest" if it has not progressed to 70 minutes," the match was deemed a no-contest.
 
The match began at 7 p.m., was suspended at 7:39, and was ruled a no-contest at 9:31.
 
No stats from Saturday's match count, and if the teams agree to reschedule the match (which is not likely) it will be started over completely.
 
The lightning also forced long delays in the University of Washington vs. California football game and Seattle Reign FC Women's Professional Soccer League match Saturday night in Seattle.
 
Chico State's season-opening win Thursday at Western Washington—picked to finish second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference this season—looks all-the-more impressive following the Vikings' 2-0 win against Sonoma State Saturday in Bellingham.
 
The Wildcats will play their 2019 home opener Thursday at 7 p.m. against Concordia (Ore.). That will be the second game of a doubleheader following the women's team's 4:30 p.m. match against Dominican.