Western Washington University Athletics

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team scored three goals over a 10-minute stretch early in the second half to secure a season-opening 3-2 victory over West Region rival Chico State Thursday evening at Harrington Field.

 

Meeting during the opening weekend of the season for the 10th consecutive season, the Vikings and Wildcats combined for five goals and 32 shots in a back-and-forth affair.

 

Chico State jumped out to an early lead with a goal at the two-minute mark, after scoring in the opening 20 seconds in the opener last year. Darius Dukes scored the first of his two goals after gathering a missed clearance and scoring inside the near post from close quarters.

 

Down 1-0 at the half, the Vikings put together a brilliant 10-minute stretch highlighted by senior co-captain Edgar Serrano scoring a pair of penalties and junior Lunden Fenster scoring his first career goal. Fenster drew both penalties that Serrano calmly placed into the back of the net.

 

Western's first goal came just under two minutes into the second half when Fenster drew a penalty being pulled down inside the box. Serrano deposited his penalty shot in the lower left corner to level the game 1-1.

 

Midway through the 53rd minute Fenster found space after a through ball from Reiley Buri-Brown and despite a steep angle from the end line, poke a ball inside the near post for his first career goal as a Viking.

 

Fenster again caused havoc in the box getting in front of his defender and was taken down at the 55:22 mark, with Serrano this time going to his right to convert the PK goal.

 

Chico State pulled to within one goal in the 70th minute when Dukes perfectly placed his free kick just outside the 18-yard box into the upper left corner.

 

Western's defense tightened in the final 20 minutes with senior goalkeeper Charlie Dyer making two of his single-game career-high tying six saves down the stretch.

 

The Wildcats out-shot the Vikings 17-15 and had a slight 8-6 edge in shots on target. Both teams had 12 fouls and Chico State had five yellow cards (WWU one).

 

The Vikings (1-0-0) return to action Saturday hosting No. 5 nationally ranked Stanislaus State (0-1-0) with kickoff scheduled for 7 pm at Harrington Field. The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/MSOC.

 

WWU improved to 13-4-2 over the last three seasons at Harrington Field … Edgar Serrano is a perfect 4-for-4 in penalty kicks during his career … Western is undefeated in its last five season opening games (2-0-3) … Vikings improved to 12-13-1 all-time vs. Chico State (5-4-1 since 2016) … eight Vikings made their program debut in the victory.

 

Western Washington 3, Chico State 2

Date: August 27, 2026

Field: Harrington Field   Site: Bellingham, WA

Attendance: 209

 

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

--------------------------------------------

Chico State...................  1  1  -  2

Western Washington............  0  3  -  3

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.        2:00     CHICO     Dukes (Solis)

2.       46:34     WWU       Serrano (PK)

3.       52:29     WWU       Fenster (Buri-Brown)

4.       55:22     WWU       Serrano (PK)

5.       69:09     CHICO     Dukes

 

Shots: CHICO 17, WWU 15

Shots on Goal: CHICO 8, WWU 6

Saves: WWU 6 (Dyer - 6), CHICO 3 (Molina - 3)

Corners: WWU 3, CHICO 2

Fouls: WWU 12, CHICO 12

Offsides: WWU 0, CHICO 0

Kits: WWU (Light Blue), CHICO (Black)

Updated Records: WWU (1-0-0), CHICO (0-1-0)

 

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2026 season:

 

 

Here is a look at the Vikings 2026 schedule and game-by-game results: