The women's soccer competition in the California Collegiate Athletic Association has been top heavy in 2021. Eight of the 12 teams boast winning records and eight of 12 are still within striking distance of the conference title—separated by six points or fewer—with just three matches to go. Chico State is among them. The Wildcats are only three points behind first-place Sonoma State (which they beat 1-0 Monday) and two behind second-place Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State.
That has the Wildcats in the mix for a CCAA title and NCAA Tournament berth thanks to an overall mark of 8-2-4 and conference record of 4-1-3. Chico State is ranked No. 8 in the first NCAA regional rankings, announced this week. The winners of the CCAA Tournament, Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament, and Pacific West Conference regular season receive automatic NCAA Championship berths. Three at large teams from the West Region will join them in the field.
The Wildcats' opponents this weekend, Cal State L.A. and Cal Poly Pomona, also have postseason goals in mind. Cal State L.A is only 4-8-2 overall, but the Golden Eagles just had a four-match win streak snapped and are 4-3-1 in conference play, just two points behind the Wildcats. Cal Poly Pomona, 8-4-2 and one point behind the Wildcats in the conference standings at 4-4-2, has won four in a row and is reading a sixth-match unbeaten streak since opening conference play since opening conference play with road losses at Sonoma State and San Francisco State.
The Wildcats take on Cal State L.A. Friday at 7 p.m. and Cal Poly Pomona Sunday at 2 p.m. They'll wrap up the regular season at home against Humboldt State next Thursday at 2 p.m.
All games are available on the CCAA Network. Links to the streaming broadcast are on the men's soccer schedule page and calendar section of the homepage at
www.chicowildcats.com.
The top two teams in the final standing earn first-round byes. The teams that finish third and fourth will host a first-round CCAA Tournament match on Sunday, Nov. 7. The teams that finish fifth and sixth will be on the road.
The Wildcats have lost only once in their 11 previous matches and are unbeaten in their last five, having registered five consecutive shutouts.
Health and safety policies vary from campus to campus. If you plan to attend a match at Cal State L.A. or Cal Poly Pomona this weekend, make sure to review the respective protocols.
Cal State L.A. COVID-19 Spectator Policies for 2021–22
Cal State LA Athletics is now allowing fans at home events, but please note that vaccinations are required and masks are required in all building on campus. In addition, masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged for outdoor events.
Cal Poly Pomona COVID-19 Spectator Policies for 2021–22
Spectators are allowed to attend home soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball games, but prior to entering the facilities, spectators will need to complete a
Guest Health Screener (
HERE) prior to arriving on campus on the same day of each visit, and display the results of the Guest Screener to the individuals selling tickets at the box office. Once inside the facility, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status,
must wear a mask at all times.
Please do not attend any events if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or are under quarantine or isolation orders. Please also be aware that the above policies and restrictions are subject to change and can be modified at any time without notice in order to comply with the most current state, local and campus health guidelines.
