The Chico State women's soccer team is undoubtedly happy to be home after opening the season with a 0-1-1 road trip that saw them fly to Las Vegas and bus to Utah and then Los Angeles before returning home. But while home is where the heart is, in this case, it's also where the hard is.
 
The Wildcats host 25^th-ranked Seattle Pacific (1-0), a long-time rival and perennial West Region power, in their home opener Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. They'll play again Sunday against visiting Saint Martin's at 11 a.m. as part of Chico Youth Soccer Day, in which all players and coaches in a team t-shirt get in free.
 
As is the case for all regular-season Chico State athletics contests, Chico State students get in free with a valid student ID.
 
Fans who can't make the match can follow along with livestats HERE. 
 
It was a bumpy ride, but the Wildcats left St. George with a 1-1 draw against Dixie State in their season opener. The match was called after 70 minutes due to lightening. Nicole Robert struck early with a 17^th-minute goal but the Wildcats allowed the equalizer two minutes later.
 
Chico State actually out-shot the West Region's 8^th-ranked team 10-9, earned a 5-1 edge in shots on goal, and had one more corner kick opportunity.
 
Two nights later they nearly drew again at West No. 7 California Baptist, matching the Lancers with seven shots on goal and earning an 8-4 edge in corner kicks. But California Baptist broke the seal with a 60^th-minute goal and put the match away with another in the final seconds.
 
Getting their first victory won't be an easy task against a Seattle Pacific squad they're 0-8 against with three draws in 11 all-time meetings. The Wildcats have a different bit of history on their side, however, having won three straight home openers.
 
Head Coach Kim Sutton and goalkeeper Brianna Furner have a chance to make a little history as well.
 
With 184 career victories, Sutton is two victories shy of the only other person to coach Chico State women's soccer, Bob Russ, for 31^st in career wins at the NCAA Division II level.
 
Furner finds herself one shutout shy of the 20^th of her career, which would match Nicole Adams for second on the school's career list.
 
Sunday will mark the second ever meeting between Chico State and Saint Martin's. The Saints won 3-2 in Lacy, Wash., in 2008.