ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Chico State women's soccer team made a trip to Rocklin in the first matchup between the two programs, the Wildcats getting the better of the Warriors and leaving with three points.
The Jessup Warriors are beginning their inaugural season into the NCAA, joining the PacWest Conference as one of three schools that gained new membership. The Warriors entered Saturday's match with a 1-3 while the Wildcats held a 1-1-2 record following their trip to Washington.
In the 1-0 win over the Warriors, the 'Cats' defense was impressive in minimizing all danger that faced their net, notching their first shutout of the season with no shots on net from the home side. Chico State now improves to 2-1-2 with their dominant win in Rocklin.
The first half was all the Wildcats, taking four shots and not allowing Jessup a single chance on their goal. In the 36th minute, Hannah Pieri lifted a ball into the middle of the box that Kylie Rolling had locked onto when a Jessup defender cleared the senior's feet from underneath, earning the Wildcats a shot from the penalty spot by the ref.
Rolling calmly but with authority, blasted the shot into the right side of the goal to earn the lead for her Wildcats. The senior forward tallied her second goal of the season and the third goal of her career. She currently leads the program in goals scored this season and has set a new career record for goals scored after her calm finish from 12-yards away.
Head coach Kim Sutton has done a remarkable job at recruiting versatile individuals and is boasting a large squad of senior and experienced players. All players are hungry to score at any moment, and the team never fails to create chances in front of the goal.
The converted penalty eventually decided the match as the 'Cats' defense successfully held off any chances from the Warriors.
Avery Pieri also recorded a team-high three shots, with two chances forcing a save from the home side's keeper.
The Chico State women's soccer team will continue their stretch of non-conference games with another matchup against a PacWest opponent when they take on Biola at home on Wednesday. The kickoff at University Soccer Stadium is at 7 p.m. You can stream every women's soccer match at home on FloSports or follow along with the live stats.
