It was a bittersweet afternoon for the Chico State women's soccer team, which celebrated its six special seniors prior to the match and clinched a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament berth with its scoreless draw against Cal State Monterey Bay. But the Wildcats have big expectations, and they were looking for more.
 
A win would have put Chico State in a tie for first place with one regular season matchday remaining. Instead, the Wildcats will travel to take on Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata Thursday at 11:30 a.m. with a host of possibilities in the air. The Wildcats could still win a CCAA title, and in the space of 90 minutes, could also fall all the way into sixth place as the top six sides are all separated by four points. A number of final scenarios would mean the Wildcats will host a first-round CCAA Tournament match next Sunday.
 
Cal Poly Humboldt, meanwhile, will be playing desperate soccer. The Lumberjacks must win and get some help to get into the CCAA Tournament.
 
Still, Saturday was more about the sweet than the bitter. The six Wildcats who played their final regular-season home match make up one of the most steadfast groups the programs has seen, sticking together through a pandemic, among many other challenges. Alexi Vontsolos, Kelli Litchfield, Hunter Casperson, Taylor Russell, Susanna Garcia, and Mackenzie Gill were celebrated well in a pre-match ceremony.
 
It momentarily looked as though the Wildcats would be in great position to get the win when Garcia knocked home Natalie Mendoza's shot near the left post. But Garcia was whistled for offsides. Chico State out-shot the Otters, who had to win to have a chance at the postseason, 14-8. Emma Hofmann made a pair of saves as the Wildcats logged their third consecutive shutout and 11^th of the season.