CHICO, Calif. - After a streak of away games, the Chico State women's soccer returned to University Soccer Stadium for a non-conference matchup against PacWest opponents Biola. After trailing by a pair of goals late into the match, a resilient Wildcats squad broke through the Eagles to secure a tie in front of a home crowd.

The Eagles entered Wednesday night's match with a 0-3-3 against all CCAA non-conference opponents, tying Stanislaus State 1-1 on Monday in Turlock. The Wildcats were holding a 2-1-2 record as they've only dropped one match in a tight loss against a nationally ranked opponent and tied another in Seattle.

There was no lack of offensive opportunities from the Wildcats in the opening half despite the visitors taking an early lead in the 14th minute. Chico State outshot the Eagles 11-2 in the opening half, but the BU keeper was proficient in making four saves to hold the lead heading into the half. Brynn Howard and Avery Pieri took four shots each, both finding the frame of the goal twice and threatening the Eagles.

Biola doubled their lead in the 58th minute, and it looked like they may have their first win after a streak of ties and close losses. However, the Wildcats refused to sit back, with half an hour left on the clock and the game's result still in their control.

Madeline Mariani stood above a free kick from 35 yards out as her teammates crowded the box, looking to create any chance in front of the net and shift the pressure on the visitors. A floated ball to the back post from the center back was met by the head of senior Brynn Howard, directing it back across the goal and finding a suitable home in the right-side netting. 

The Santa Rosa native has scored two goals with her head this season, Wednesday's cutting the deficit by a single goal and leading the way for an imposing comeback.

With a goal on the board, Chico State pushed the Eagles back on their heels with the clock ticking away. In the 76th minute, Hannah Pieri found the ball on her favored left side of the field and played a dangerous ball towards the net, with three teammates honing in on the ball at the back post. Caroline Souza was the first player to meet the ball as the Eagles keeper fought her way through to try and clear the danger. Still, the freshman found enough of the ball to fall at Avery Pieri's feet, and she tried forcing it into the net, but a deflection from Jiana Martin sealed the second goal for the Wildcats.

Jiana Martin has already picked up two assists this season, finally claiming her first goal of her junior year.

Chico State women's soccer will celebrate the outstanding career of their eight seniors this Saturday before their final non-conference matchup against Stanislaus State. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m., with the celebration of their adored seniors starting promptly at 4:20 p.m. If you cannot attend in person, you can watch the celebration on FloSports.