CHICO, Calif. – An unprecedented season filled with stunning results and statement victories has placed the Wildcats in prime tournament position and landed four 'Cats on the All-CCAA honors list. Led by 2025 CCAA Coach of the Year Kim Sutton, this has already been an unforgettable final season at the helm of the Chico State women's soccer program, defying all the odds and expectations set before the campaign began.
After joining the Chico State coaching staff in 2001, Sutton has devoted more than two decades to building one of the conference's most respected programs. In her final campaign, she was voted the 2025 CCAA Coach of the Year after leading a young but resilient squad that defied expectations across the conference. Following the graduation of eight seniors last season—including All-CCAA standouts Brynn Howard, Natalie Mendoza, Emma Hofmann, and Avery Pieri—the Wildcats were picked to finish 10th in the preseason coaches poll. Instead, Sutton's squad produced some of the most impressive results in NCAA Division II.
The season opened with a challenging road trip to Hawai'i that tested the team early, including a narrow 1-0 loss to a strong Vulcans squad. Those matches, however, served as valuable learning experiences for the youthful roster as newcomers adapted to the faster, more physical collegiate pace.
The 2025 CCAA season has become a storybook sendoff for the veteran coach. Sutton guided the Wildcats to a second-place regular-season finish and a first-round bye in the CCAA Tournament, compiling a 7-2-2 conference record. The highlight came with a historic 1-0 victory over No. 1 Cal Poly Pomona in Pomona — the first time in program history that Chico State has defeated the nation's top-ranked team. The long-serving Chico State women's soccer head coach currently ranks 17th in active coaches and 28th all-time in the NCAA DII for winningest coach by victories (281) across her 29 seasons of leading collegiate soccer programs.
Senior Hannah Pieri finished out her long-standing career at Chico State in great fashion, earning First Team All-CCAA honors in her final season after a stellar year on the wing. Pieri scored in three straight matches—from the win over UC Merced (Oct. 26) to the tie against Cal State East Bay (Nov. 2)—and added four assists on the season. The Orangevale native proved to be a constant threat along the flank, earning her second career All-CCAA selection and her first First Team nod.
Senior Taylor McMahon, in her second season with Chico State, earned Second Team All-CCAA honors after leading the Wildcats with 15 points. The Washington State transfer brought both skill and size to the offense, contributing five goals and five assists. Known for her ability to capitalize on set pieces and force defensive miscues, McMahon played a key role in driving Chico State's attacking momentum.
Freshman Makayla Cruz-Martinez joined McMahon on the All-CCAA Second Team, one of just five freshmen across the conference to earn all-conference recognition. While her three goals didn't go down as game-winners, each came in critical moments against CSUSB, Stanislaus State, and UC Merced, helping the Wildcats secure vital points in the standings. Her composure and presence up top made her a standout in her first collegiate season.
Rounding out Chico State's award winners, sophomore Gabby Starr earned her first career All-CCAA Second Team selection after anchoring the Wildcats' backline. Following the departure of both starting center-backs from 2024, Starr emerged as a defensive leader while guiding a young central duo. She also converted both of Chico State's penalty kicks this season—the first two goals of her career. Starting all 18 matches, Starr helped the team record six shutouts and posted a 1.00 goals-against average, ranking seventh in the CCAA.
The Wildcats are set to face the No. 3 seeded Stanislaus State Warriors in the 2025 CCAA Tournament semifinal at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside on Thursday, November 14, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. It will be a rematch of their October 24 meeting in Turlock, where Chico State earned a 2-1 victory behind goals from All-CCAA Second Team honorees McMahon and Cruz-Martinez. The winner will advance to the championship match on Sunday, November 16.
