Chico State Head Women's Soccer Coach Kim Sutton muttered: "You'd think we just won the conference championship," in response to her youthful team's exuberant celebration of its 2-1 win against Cal State San Bernardino in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams Friday night at University Soccer Stadium.
 
They had done something even rarer in cementing Sutton's 250^th career victory, in fact. The fifth woman in NCAA Division II women's soccer history to reach that milestone, Sutton is the 32^nd all time and the 20^th active coach to do so. The moment was not lost on her players, who raced to embrace her and chanted "250! 250!" It was not lost on Sutton's friends and family or the team's supporters in the stands either. They held up signs with the number 250, cheered wildly for her, and University President Gayle Hutchinson got past security by pulling her "University President card" before sprinting onto the University Soccer Stadium pitch and waving a Chico State flag.
 
Sutton was mobbed and given an ice bath. She was followed around with big balloons that made the number 250. Perhaps most importantly, she got a glimpse of the impact she has had on her team, her University, and her community. It was a special night indeed.
 
Sutton's squad, made up of more than 50 percent freshmen, is now 5-1-1 (1-0-0 in the CCAA) despite featuring only four seniors and three juniors. Cal State San Bernardino slipped to 2-5-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the CCAA.
 
Chico State jumped to an early advantage just 1:18 into the match on a sensational set piece after Susanna Garcia (who would do this many times over the course of the night) drew a foul. Jordan Doukakis lined it up from about 40 yards out and delivered a dime to Camille Lidster, who snapped a header from eight yards in front of the right post and tucked it inside the left post.
 
The Wildcats scored their second goal in the run of play, beginning with a won goal kick by Sarah Emigh played ahead to the feet of Garcia in space about 35 yards out from goal. Garcia played a ball ahead to Natalie Mendoza, whose quick turn and pass connected just in time with Emily Billena on a run into the box. Billena gathered the ball with one touch and then beat the keeper with a left footed dart inside the left post.
 
Cal State San Bernardino came to life in the second half, cutting the lead in two before pressuring the Wildcats in the closing minutes. But Chico State's defense held, allowing only six shots on goal.
 
The Wildcats are back in action at home Sunday against Cal State San Marcos at 2 p.m.

Goal by #30 Emily Billena pic.twitter.com/UHBzvCKEsl

— Chico Wildcats (@ChicoWildcats) October 2, 2021

Goalllllll by #21 Camille Lidster pic.twitter.com/tyXQo9LtV0

— Chico Wildcats (@ChicoWildcats) October 2, 2021