CHICO, Calif. — The Chico State women's soccer team defeated UC Merced 2-0 on Saturday, scoring twice in the first 18 minutes and holding the Bobcats scoreless the rest of the way.
Before both teams kicked off, Chico State honored its seniors: Laila Hadid, Olivia Wilson, Rebekah Hines and Olivia Hohnstein.
The win puts Chico State (6-6-3, 5-2-3 CCAA, 18 points) back on the win column and after the 3 p.m. matches were completed, the Wildcats are now tied for fourth in the CCAA standings with Stanislaus State, their next opponent.
Makayla Quesada drove into the box and crossed to Mia Cook in the fourth minute, with Cook finishing to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Quesada recorded her first assist of the season. It was Cook's first goal of the season and her first game-winning goal of the season.
Hadid made it 2-0 in the 18th minute, shooting a loose ball from the top of the box after a Bobcats goalkeeper clearance attempt. It was Hadid's first goal of the season.
The Bobcats created chances later in the first half, including Andrea Alvarenga's saved shot in the 25th minute and Lizzie Ledesma's attempt off the top woodwork in the 40th minute, before Makayla Cruz-Martinez put two late shots on frame for the Wildcats. Alicia Lepe saved both Cruz-Martinez attempts, and the 'Cats took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Chico State opened the second half with early pressure, earning a corner in the 48th minute and getting a Malia Bell shot shortly after, while the Bobcats came back with a corner and a Jocelin Roa attempt in the next few minutes. UC Merced played more aggressively in the second half than in the first.
The Wildcats built another attacking stretch around the 59th and 60th minutes, with Macyn Stewart and Quesada forcing saves from Lepe before Baylee Gregerson sent a shot wide. The Bobcats pushed later in the half, including shots by Alexia Alva, Roa and Alvarenga before Charlotte Mailer saved Zamaya Rivera's attempt in the 79th minute.
After a physical stretch with several fouls, Hohnstein put another shot on frame for the Wildcats, and the Bobcats' late push included Sarai Fresquez hitting the right post in the 90th minute before the 'Cats finished off the 2-0 win.
Up next, Chico State wraps up the 2026 home regular season schedule Thursday, hosting Stanislaus State on Thursday at 4 p.m.
