There's a positive, exciting buzz around the Chico State women's soccer team heading into Thursday 6 p.m. season opener against Academy of Art at University Soccer Stadium. Bee (that may be one too many e's) in the stands and there's a good chance you'll understand why. Coming off a 10-3-5 campaign and runner-up finish in the challenging California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the Wildcats return 19 letterwinners, including six full-time starters and five more with starting experience.
 
Students with a valid student ID are admitted for free to all Chico State Intercollegiate Athletics events. General admission is $10, seniors (age 60 and over) and visiting students with a valid ID are $6, children 3-12 years of age are $4, and children 2-and-under get in free.
 
Among the Wildcats who are back are 2021 CCAA Player of the Year Susanna Garcia and 2021 CCAA Freshman of the Year Emma Hofmann. Garcia tied for the CCAA lead in goals and led the way with four match winners, while Hofmann ranked 10^th in all of Division II women's soccer with an .872 saves percentage.
 
This season, in the conference's annual preseason coaches poll, Chico State was picked to finish third in the CCAA. The Wildcats are also ranked No. 5 in the West Region in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll, and are listed among teams that also received votes in the Division II Top 25 Poll.
 
Along with Garcia and Hofmann, regular 2021 starters Brynn Howard, Nicole Fairbanks, Natalie Mendoza, and Klayre Barres are back. Summer Baron, Alexi Vontsolos, Megan Looney, Mackenzie Gill, and Kylie Rolling also return after starting at least one match last season.
 
Chico State head Coach Kim Sutton is also back for her 22^nd season at the helm. Sutton's 255 wins are 32^nd most in women's Division II soccer history (fourth among women) and 18^th most (third among women) among active coaches.