Striker Miles Rice netted the 25th hat trick in Chico State men's soccer history and also tallied an assist in the Wildcats' 6-1 win against Saint Martin's in their 2022 home opener Thursday night at University Soccer Stadium. Rice finished the week with a match-high four shots in Chico State's 1-0 loss to GNAC preseason favorite Simon Fraser. Wednesday, Rice was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Rice is the 21st Wildcat to tally three times in a match and the first since Mikey Hirsch on Nov. 7, 2019. Rice one-timed a cross with his left foot, beating the keeper to the far post, for his second collegiate goal, giving Chico State a 2-0 lead. But the sophomore from Cameron Park (Ponderosa HS) was just getting started.
 
He set up Bryan Manriquez for Chico State's first goal of the second half and a 3-1 edge with a pass chipped to the back post. Rice made it 4-1 six minutes later, and 11 minutes after that, 5-1. He used his speed in transition and a sliding left-footed redirection inside the far post for his second goal. His third was the highlight of the night, showcasing the confidence he cultivated with his first two. Rice won a race to a ball that had been flicked on toward the Saints goal, used a quick change of direction to shed one defender, and stopped on a dime 16 yards out to separate from the other, before banging a right-footed blast into the top shelf.
 
Chico State's 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.
 
Rice and the Wildcats will play at Dominican Thursday at 12:30 p.m. before returning home for a showdown with Holy Names Sunday at 2 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.