Weeks of anticipation and many long days of filming all led up to Saturday night's showdown between the Chico State and Cal Poly Humboldt women's soccer teams. But in the end, the newly-dubbed Battle for the North was decided in a flash.
 
Pressing the Cal Poly Humboldt back line together, Piper Matson and Susanna Garcia forced a turnover. Garcia pounced on the ball on the left flank, feigned a move inside, and then played herself into space toward the end line. Her next touch was a beautifully-weighted pass to Matson between two defenders right on top of the 6. Matson ripped it home with her right boot for the lone goal of the match in Chico State's 1-0 victory at University Soccer Stadium.
 
If you missed it, don't worry. It will all be part of the fourth episode of the brand new "The Rivalries" docu-series produced by LG Electronics USA for the NCAA Championship Channel as part of a three-year partnership with the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports. It is scheduled to air in late October or early November.
 
The season's largest crowd, 498, was on hand to enjoy great soccer, a spectacular atmosphere, and free food and beverages from The Black Kettle, Black Wal Street Café, and Associated Students Dining Services, provided by LG. It was also a great night for The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which received generous food and monetary donations throughout the evening.
 
It was an evening packed with joy, beginning from the start when members of the Butte United girls' youth team joined the Chico State and Cal Poly Humboldt teams for introductions, running with them to midfield wearing huge smiles and wide eyes. They waved pom-pom and chanted cheers just above the Wildcats bench and were never louder than when the Wildcats opened the scoring with Matson's first goal as a Wildcat.
 
The assist was the ninth of Garcia's illustrious career. One of the main subjects of filming this week, the senior All-American rose to meet the moment.
 
Chico State goalkeeper Emma Hofmann made a trio of saves in registering her third shutout of the season and her 13^th in 24 career starts. Her defense allowed only six shots and two corner kicks all night. Six Wildcats helped defend for the full 90 minutes: Nicole Fairbanks, Madison Noll, Klayre Barres, Brynn Howard, Taylor Russell, and Emilia Kling.
 
The Wildcats will open California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play on the road next weekend. They'll play at Sonoma State Friday at 12:30 and at San Francisco State Sunday at 2.