Published 2001-10-03T00:00:00Z”/>

Nick Allen<br>Assistant Sports Editor

Last season, when the Chico State men’s soccer team left the field, its final game victory it was a small consolation – it had dropped the previous three games and in the process, its chance to make playoffs, ending the year a disappointing 8-11.

In an effort to avoid the woes of last season, the team increased the intensity of its off-season workouts.

Head coach Mike O’Malley had the team practicing five days a week and working harder in the weight room than in past years.

“A lot of our off-season work dealt with strength and conditioning,” he said. “In the past, I don’t think we have had as structured and disciplined off-season as we had this past year. It has made a big difference.”

With ten returning starters, it would be tough to say that this is a new team, but there seems to be a difference.

Last year the team had growing pains. Those learning experiences have turned this team into one of the best Division II soccer teams in the country.

“Each player has raised his level of play 10 to 15 percent,” O’Malley said.

Another difference can be seen in defensive play. In their first nine games last season, the ‘Cats gave up 17 goals. With some improvement from its players and a new defensive scheme, that same defense has given up nine goals all season.

In the last two games goalie Mike Williams and the rest of the defense have kept their opponents scoreless.

“Once you are winning games, the confidence just gets bigger,” Williams said. “Right now we know that we can go in there and beat anyone.”

The concept of team is a cliche that is uttered often in sports, but for Chico a team-oriented philosophy has been one of the main reasons for their success.

O’Malley made the decision this year to switch from man-to-man to a zone-

oriented defense, which requires much more teamwork and communication.

“With the ability and experience of the players that we have, this seemed like the way to go,” he said.

Offensively, as O’Malley planned before the season, Chico has maintained a very balanced scoring attack as opposed to relying on one star scorer.

Chico has seven players who have scored two or more goals and is lead by freshman Chris Wondolowski, who has four goals and four assists.

“It has been a big step for me, but the seniors are great,” Wondolowski said. “Ian Marshall (last year’s leading scorer) has really helped me a lot. I think we really work well together.”

Not only has Marshall been instrumental in the development of Wondolowski, but he has scored two goals and has three assists.

The Wildcats, who are now ranked 20th in the country, come home this week to face the bulk of their league play. Every game in the California Collegiate Athletic League is going to be difficult.

“The CCAA is by far the toughest Division II conference in the country,” O’Malley said.

In the coming weeks, Chico will face Sonoma State, defending national champions Cal State Dominguez Hills and rival UC Davis.