If the early bird gets the worm, it stands to reason that the 'Cat has to be even earlier to get the bird. The Chico State men's soccer team is on it. The Wildcats left town at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday on the way to take on the Seattle Pacific Falcons in their 2022 season opener Thursday at 7 p.m. at Interbay Stadium. They'll face Western Washington University Saturday at 7 p.m. at Harrington Field before returning home.
 
The Wildcats, who have won five consecutive season openers, were far from groggy. In fact they are giddy with the prospects of a strong season. Some good results against two of the top three programs in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll would be a great way to start. Western Washington is picked to finish second and defending GNAC Champion Seattle Pacific is picked to finish third. Chico State and Seattle Pacific have met 44 times previously, with the series level at 21-21-3. The Wildcats have won four straight at Western Washington.
  
Chico State returns seven full-time starters—goalkeeper Luis Albarran, team assist leader Liam Duerksen, Miles Rice, Ben Souza, Noah Ross, Trevor Fritz, and Cayden Hotaling—and six others who started at least once last season: Adrian Fontanelli, Connor Gorrien, Donovan Jackson, Anthony Kaskie, Benjamin Ralph, and Gabriel Delich. The Wildcats are picked to finish fifth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association's annual preseason coaches poll.
 
Chico State head coach Felipe Restrepo is back for his 15^th season at the helm. His teams have compiled a sterling 136-78-31 record and earned 10 postseason appearances.
 
The Wildcats open their home campaign against Saint Martin's on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m.