It was a magical night at University Soccer Stadium for the Chico State men's soccer team. Back in action for the first time in 660 days, the Wildcats made Jacob Chong's first-half goal stand up for a 1-0 victory over a highly-regarded Western Washington squad. The lights were on, the air was cool, and the feeling was electric.
 
The young and inexperienced Wildcats squad took a while to get their feet firmly planted underneath them. Some rust, and perhaps even some nerves, was to be expected. Head Coach Felipe Restrepo sent out a starting XI featuring three freshmen making their collegiate debuts, seven sophomores (two making their Chico State debuts), and just one senior. Six freshmen and two sophomores also saw action off the bench.
 
Chong is one of those sophomores who came off the bench despite having led the 2019 Wildcats in scoring with 10 goals. Last season was lost due to COVID-19. The strong, compact striker subbed on in the 13^th minute and staked Chico State to the lead in the 29^th. Freshman Liam Duerksen won a 50-50 ball in the attacking third and quickly volleyed a pass to Chong, who had his back to the goal about 30 yards out. A decisive touch to his right centered him near the top of the circle above the 18-yard box. He put the ball on his right foot with one more touch and slammed a shot that took a nearly-immediate deflection before quickly rolling beyond the dive of the keeper and inside the far post.

Goal by #16 Jacob Chong from outside the box! Putting the Wildcats up 1-0 against Western Washington. pic.twitter.com/giiTWram7J

— Chico Wildcats (@ChicoWildcats) September 3, 2021

 
Another sophomore, goalkeeper Luis Albarran made his debut between the pipes for Chico State and registered a trio of saves in securing the shutout.

A 59^th-minute red card in the hampered the Vikings' comeback effort and Chico State went on to out-shoot the visitors 10-5 in the second stanza. Western Washington return 10 starters from its 2019 team that won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title. The Vikings were picked to finish second in the GNAC in a preaseason poll of conference coaches.
 
Chico State, 12-5-0 back in 2019, is picked to finish third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Wildcats host Seattle Pacific, another GNAC power, Saturday night at 7. The Falcons beat Sonoma State 2-1 Thursday in Rohnert Park in their season opener.
 
Chico State has won three in a row against Seattle Pacific, in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2019 match was ruled a no-contest due to a long lightening delay in Seattle.