Miles Rice netted the 25^th hat trick in Chico State men's soccer history as part of a Wildcats scoring explosion the likes of which have not been seen at University Soccer Stadium in 15 years. Rice finished with three goals and an assist, Kameron Kascht dished out a trio of assists, and Owen Vasta delivered a goal and two assists in the Wildcats' 6-1 win against Saint Martin's in their 2022 home opener.
 
The six goals match the most by a Chico State men's soccer team since 2008's 7-1 win at Simpson University and is the most goals they've scored at University Soccer Stadium since an 8-0 win against Simpson in 2007. See all six of tonight's strikes via @WildcatsGameday on Instagram.
 
Rice is the 21^st Wildcat to tally three times in a match and the first since Mikey Hirsch on Nov. 7, 2019. Bryan Manriquez and Kristoffer Brown also found the back of the net for the Wildcats, now 1-1-1 on the campaign. Saint Martin's fell to 0-2-1.
 
The highlight of the night, though, must have been the Wildcats' first strike, coming just 2:53 into the match on a hot Chico night. After going scoreless last weekend on the road in Washington, Vasta's first goal as a Wildcat broke the seal ahead of a flood of goals, washing over the team's early season offensive frustrations. Kascht set him up beautifully, outmuscling a defender for a 50/50 ball 30 yards out and setting things in motion with a gorgeous turn and attack. That drew another defender to Kascht, leaving Vasta unmarked on his right. Kascht slipped a pass into the box leading Vasta to about nine yards out where his one-timed right-footed blast beat the goalkeeper low and inside the far post.
 
Vasta and Kascht were the catalysts of Chico State next strike a little less than 10 minutes later. Vasta beat a pair of defenders to get toward the end line and deliver a dangerous cross. Kascht neatly flicked it on for Rice arriving alone on the far corner of the 6-yard box. He one-timed the shot with his left foot, beating the keeper to the far post for the sophomore's second collegiate goal.
 
The Wildcats went to the half with a two-goal edge, and briefly appeared a bit shaky in the second half as the Saints scored to draw within 2-1. The drama ended quickly. The Wildcats scored in the 54^th, 60^th, 71^st, and 81^st minute to run away with the victory.
 
Rice actually set up Manriquez as the Wildcats regained their two-goal advantage. He received a throw-in near the edge of the 18 and dribble back up toward the top of the box before chipping a pass toward the PK spot where Manriquez rose up over the back of his defender and deposited a header inside the right post.
 
The fourth goal came on a quick strike as Kascht's quick turn and pass put Vasta into space down the right flank. He took one long dribble and raced ahead before connecting with Rice with a cross to the top of the 6-yard box where he poked it home with his left foot.
 
Rice's third goal was a beauty, showcasing the confidence he had cultivated with his first two. Cayden Hotaling won a Saint Martin's goal kick and volleyed it ahead. Kascht flicked it on with a header, putting the Saints defense on its heels. Rice won the race the ball, used a quick change of direction to shed one defender and stopped on a dime 16 yards out from the mouth of the goal to separate from the other before banging a right-footed blast into the top shelf.
 
The Wildcats' final goal was a beauty as well, built on Anthony Kaskie's sliding tackle during which he chipped the ball into space down the right flank where Brown ran onto it. He used brute force to fend off one defender, and when the others continued to retreat, placed a surgical strike between two defenders and beyond the diving keeper inside the far post.
 
Chico State finished with a 22-10 edge in shots and has now out-shot all three of its opponents this season.
 
The Wildcats will be back home Saturday at 11 a.m. to face Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason favorite Simon Fraser (1-1-0).
 
Wildcat Hat Tricks
Miles Rice – 9/1/22
Mikey Hirsch – 11/7/19
Jacob Chong – 10/30/19
Andrew McCombs – 10/20/17
Jeremiah Egujie – 9/17/17
Omar Nuño –9/3/16
Omar Nuño – 10/2/15
Benjamin Moukoko – 9/17/08
Spencer Stanton – 10/3/04
Chris Wondolowski – 10/20/01
Arturo Barragan – 10/26/99
Arturo Barragan – 9/7/99
Matt Roberson – 10/30/98
Mat Kearney – 9/24/97
Kely Jacobsen – 11/2/94
Kevin Eagleston – 11/7/92
Michael Cruickshank – 10/27/92
Michael Cruickshank – 10/2/89
Kurt Lundberg – 1/27/89
Fritz Libby – 0/27/89
Scott Wulferdinger – 0/27/89
Ben Pollock – 9/24/88
Otey Cannon – 1971
Otey Cannon – 10/11/71
Fernando Espinar – 1968