SAN FRANCISCO - Natalie Nevarez scored her first goal of the season early into the match and Ava Jara provided an insurance policy midway through the second half as the Chico State women's soccer team shutout San Francisco State 2-0 at Cox Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The win is crucial for the Wildcats as the CCAA heads into the final matches of the regular season Thursday. Stanislaus State played Cal Poly Humboldt to a scoreless draw Saturday evening, while Cal State San Bernardino faces Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State East Bay takes on Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday.
Regardless of those results, the Wildcats (7-6-4, 6-2-4 CCAA) will head to Arcata to face Cal Poly Humboldt on Thursday with 22 points. Chico State is temporarily tied for fourth place with Cal Poly Pomona and UC Merced, which also picked up a victory against Cal State San Marcos.
Going into the Sunday matches, the CCAA standings are as follows:
| Place |
Team |
Matches Remain |
Points |
CCAA Record |
Thursday's Opponent (11 a.m.) |
| 1. |
Cal State San Bernardino |
1 |
24 |
7-1-3 |
at Cal State East Bay |
| T2. |
Cal State LA |
1 |
23 |
7-2-2 |
at Cal State Dominguez Hills |
| T2. |
Cal State San Marcos |
1 |
23 |
7-3-2 |
vs. Cal Poly Pomona |
| T4. |
Chico State |
1 |
22 |
6-2-4 |
at Cal Poly Humboldt |
| T4. |
Cal Poly Pomona |
2 |
22 |
6-1-4 |
at Cal State San Marcos |
| T4. |
UC Merced |
1 |
22 |
6-2-4 |
vs. San Francisco State |
| 7. |
Stanislaus State |
1 |
20 |
4-4-4 |
at Fresno Pacific |
| 8. |
Cal State Monterey Bay |
2 |
19 |
5-2-4 |
at Menlo |
The CCAA will take the top seven teams to the conference tournament that begins November 1. All women's soccer matches on Thursday will kick off at 11 a.m. and the CCAA will announce the tournament seedings nearly immediately after all final whistles are sounded.
Chico State scored the only goal it needed in the 15th minute. Following a throw-in on the left side of the goal box, Gabby Starr trapped and crossed it to the right post where Olivia Hohnstein headed it to Nevarez for the one-touch shot to the right post.
In the 68th minute, Starr came through again, sending the ball in to the box from midfield. Gator keeper Malie Burnett attempted to catch the ball but it bounced off her chest and Jara was in position to shoot it into the upper right corner.
Charlotte Mailer needed to make four saves to receive her seventh full shutout and Chico State's eighth on the season.
Chico State also won the shot column, 12-10 overall, 8-4 in goal.
