ARCATA—With California Collegiate Athletic Association play kicking off next week, it's a safe bet that the Chico State men's soccer team is hoping to see some regression toward the mean. The ball simply hasn't bounced the Wildcats' way during non-conference play, which wrapped with a 1-0 loss at 13^th-ranked Humboldt State Saturday.
 
Following a season-opening 1-0 win, the Wildcats have now lost five in a row, all by one goal. The loss snapped the Wildcats' 11-match win streak against Humboldt State and eight-match win streak in Arcata.
 
A two-minute span early in the second half provided a perfect example of what's gone wrong for the Wildcats of late. Jacob Chong's header off a set piece was inches too far toward the center of the goal and snared with a well-timed leap by the Lumberjacks keeper. Just over a minute later, Humboldt State scored the lone goal of the match, streaking down the field and getting a look from in close in transition.
 
Goalkeeper Luis Albarran did well to keep the Wildcats within striking distance, collecting a pair of tough saves, but the Wildcats could not draw even. Juan Perez's blast missed the far post by inches and Adrian Fontanelli had a pair of promising tries saved.
 
Chico State opens CCAA action Friday at 4:30 against Cal State San Bernardino at University Soccer Stadium.