As the Chico State men's soccer team's starting right back, junior Noah Ross's most important role is helping the Wildcats keep the opposition off the scoreboard. This week he did even more, helping the Wildcats post two clean sheets, while also contributing his first two goals of the season. The first was the match winner at home Thursday night against Cal State East Bay. The second help cement the Wildcats' win at Stanislaus State Sunday. Tuesday Ross received Pixellot/California Collegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Ross and the Wildcats limited their opponents to just six shots on goal this week.
 
A product of Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, Ross has started all 13 matches for the Wildcats. He also started the scoring in Chico State's 2-0 win against Cal State East Bay Thursday night at University Soccer Stadium with a good display of stick-to-itiveness. Ross's flying header at the far post bounced off the turf and then clanged off the woodwork. He hit the ground after rising high to meet the ball but got quickly to his feet and got his right boot to it, stuffing it inside the post for a 1-0 lead. That proved to be the match-winning goal.
 
In Sunday's match at Stanislaus State, Ross doubled the Wildcats' lead with his strike early in the second half. Alone on a run toward the far post for a cross, Ross rose over the back of his defender to head the ball down toward the goal line where it bounced up and in.
 
With the two wins, the 'Cats (6-3-4, 3-1-2 CCAA) climbed into third place in the conference standings. With the two shutouts, they now rank second in the conference with a goals-against average of 0.67. The Wildcats will be back on the road this weekend, playing at Cal State San Marcos Friday and Cal State San Bernardino Sunday.