Having out-shot each of its first four opponents this season, the Chico State men's soccer team is confident in its prospects for success in 2022. This week, the Wildcats' goal is to start parlaying that advantage in chances into a difference on the scoreboard on a more regular basis. That quest begins with a match Thursday afternoon at 12:30 at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, and continuing with a home match Sunday at 2 p.m. versus Holy Names.
The start time of the Dominican match was moved up to beat the heat of the late afternoon. Chico State enters that match with a record of 1-2-1. The Wildcats opened the season with a scoreless draw at Seattle Pacific, lost 1-0 at Western Washington, enjoyed an offensive explosion in a 6-1 victory against Saint Martin's in their home opener, and then fell 1-0 to Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason favorite Simon Fraser on Saturday.
The Wildcats have severely limited the chances of the opposition, surrendering just three goals on 35 total shots (and only 14 shots on goal) in those first four matches. Now they want to see their offense, which has racked up 60 shots, including 22 shots on goal, find the back of the net on a more consistent basis.
They showed that ability in the 6-1 drubbing of Saint Martin's. Reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week Miles Rice scored a hat trick, Owen Vasta contributed a goal and two assists, and Kameron Kascht dished out a trio of assists. Kristoffer Brown and Bryan Manriquez also found the back of the net.
Dominican, which is off to a 3-0 start, plans to test the stingy Chico State defense. The high-scoring Penguins have opened the season with wins of 3-2 at Stanislaus State, 4-2 at home against Cal State East Bay, and 2-1 at Cal State Monterey Bay. They've out-shot their opponents by an impressive margin of 53-28.
Holy Names is also unbeaten at 1-0-3, having tied Stanislaus State 2-2 at home and Cal Poly Humboldt (0-0) and Cal State Monterey Bay (1-1) on the road. The Hawks earned their first win of the season Saturday, defeating Cal State East Bay 2-0. Hawks goalkeeper Alexi Jimenez was named the PacWest Conference Defender of the Week for his performance last weekend, allowing just a single goal while making 11 saves.
Links to streaming video and livestats for both matches are available via the links on the top-right corner of this story, on the men's soccer schedule page, and in the calendar section on the homepage.
