Men's Soccer | 11/13/2023 7:50:00 PM

CHICO, Calif. - Since August it has been a grind for the Wildcats, playing a share of some of the best teams in the nation week in and week out. All the hard work finally paid off as the Chico State men's soccer team will be traveling to Pueblo, Colorado to face off against the fourth seed CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves in the national tournament.

This is Chico's first National Tournament appearance since 2018 when the Wildcats had an early exit against Cal State LA. Also, this marks the first meeting between Chico State and CSU Pueblo in program history.

This Saturday, November 18th at 6 pm (PST), the second-round match will take place at Gonzales Stadium.

After sitting in fourth the past three regional polls, the Wildcats were shifting to fifth, resulting in an away match for the second-round of the 2023 NCAA DII National Tournament. Both teams will be bouting for a chance to take on the winner out of the top seeded Midwestern State and TBD opponent following a Thursday first round game against RMAC competitors UCCS and Fort Lewis.

CSU Pueblo is coming into the postseason with a record of 15-4-2 and overcame a third place seeding in the RMAC Tournament to take their conference title over Fort Lewis 2-0.

The Thunderwolves are the 2022 NCAA DII National Runner-ups after an impressive run in the postseason last season, only to be routed by Franklin-Pierce in the Championship match.

CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year Emanuel Padilla will be staying in net for the Wildcats with CCAA First-Team selections Adrian Fontanelli and Preston Moll supporting him. This year's squad only allowing in 11 goals in 19 games, looking to hold off a very impressive Thunderwolves offense.

Three fellow CCAA squads made the cut for the postseason alongside Chico State; Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Monterey Bay all received berths.

CLICK HERE for the entire NCAA DII bracket.

Click the link to watch the live broadcast on the RMAC Network