SEATTLE—The Chico State women's soccer team surrendered its first goal of the season, and despite a number of promising opportunities, could not respond in kind against host Seattle Pacific in a 1-0 loss Saturday evening at Interbay Stadium.
 
Chico State slipped to 2-1-1 despite twice hitting the crossbar with shots, banging out six shots in the first 16 minutes of the match and six of the first seven of the day, and finishing with six shots on goal.
 
Seattle Pacific, which went 19-2-1 last season and advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals, is the Great Northwest Athletic Conference coaches' pick to win the GNAC title. The Falcons improved to 2-0-0 with the win thanks to Kayla Wallace's goal, assisted by Kathryn Nyone, in the 75^th minute of the match. The Falcons open the season ranked No. 5 in the nation.
 
It felt like only a matter of time until the Wildcats would break through. Especially early on. Brynn Howard's low drive from 16 yards went right at the keeper in the second minute. Some nifty defending denied Piper Matson's strike from inside the box on a quick transition in the 13^th minute. Natalie Mendoza's 16^th-minute rocket sailed just high from 20 yards out. Summer Baron's chip shot with the goalkeeper off the line hit the crossbar in the 39^th minute. And Mendoza's angled pass put reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week Mikayla Robertson in behind the defense late in the half but her drive from 12 yards was right at the keeper and saved.
 
All that before the half. Early in the second half, Mendoza had two tries saved and Susanna Garcia another before Seattle Pacific began to exert control, eventually grabbing the lead. Out-shot 10-4 through the 50^th minute, the Falcons accounted for eight of the next nine shots.
 
The Wildcats weren't done, however, and nearly knotted the score twice in the final two minutes. Taylor Russell's shot was saved with exactly two minutes to play and Nicole Fairbanks hit the crossbar in the 89^th minute.
 
Both teams finished with 13 shots and the Wildcats finished with a 6-3 edge in shots on goal.
 
Chico State will host a trio of teams at University Soccer Stadium this week. Cal Poly Humboldt and Biola will play Thursday at 4:30 p.m., followed by Chico State and Azusa Pacific at 7. On Saturday, Cal Poly Humboldt will take on Azusa Pacific at 11 a.m. and Chico State will face Biola at 1:30. All four matches will be broadcast on the CCAA Network.