SAN FRANCISCO—Piper Matson poked home the match winner with just over five minutes remaining to lift the Chico State women's soccer team to a 1-0 win at San Francisco State Sunday afternoon. With a two-win weekend on the road to open conference play, the Wildcats have a chance to grab sole possession of first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association when they return home to face Cal Poly Pomona Friday at 4:30 p.m. They'll also host Cal State LA Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
 
Chico State is now 5-2-1 overall and 2-0-0 in the CCAA, having won three straight. San Francisco State slipped to 2-5-2 overall and 0-1-1 in the CCAA.
 
The winning score was set up when the Wildcats drew a throw-in near the right corner flag. Playing from out of the back, Nicole Fairbanks cut inside on the dribble instead of playing it out wide and then lofted a pass toward Susanna Garcia, putting the defense on its back foot. The Gators eventually kicked the ball out of bounds near the corner flag.
 
Klayre Barres came up from her right back position for the throw in and targeted Matson, who was posted up midway between the near post and the edge of the 18-yard box. Matson attempted to flick it on toward the far post, but the ball was deflected by the defender on her back. It fell between the two and Matson got to it first. Now sandwiched by two defenders, she touched the ball onto her left foot and then poked it between the defender's legs, beyond the reach of the goalkeeper who was guarding the near post, and inside the far post.
 
The goal is Matson's second of the season. The sophomore transfer now has a goal or assist in three matches in a row. 
 
The Chico State defense limited the Gators to three shots on goal, each of which was saved by Emma Hofmann, who now has four shutouts this season.