The dust has barely settled from dorm move in, but the Chico State women’s soccer program’s 15-member class is about to get educated big time in the ways of Division II West Region soccer. The Wildcats, ranked No. 4 in the nation on the strength of their trip to last season’s Final Four, open the season Thursday at home against another of the region’s top teams, Western Washington, at 4:30.

The match is not only the Wildcats’ season opener, but it’s also Pack the House Night at University Soccer Stadium. Students are admitted free with a Wildcat ID card. Tickets are $6 for general admission, $4 for seniors and non-Chico State students, and $2 for children high school aged and under. The men’s match against Western Washington will begin following the women’s match at 7.

Chico State Head Coach Kim Sutton’s squad features only two seniors, so the Wildcats will be relying heavily on their youth. However, that isn’t to say they don’t have a strong veteran presence returning from the team that finished 13-6-6 last season and won the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s North Division for the sixth time in eight seasons before making its historic run through the NCAA Tournament.

All-West Region defender Carly Singer, forward Shelby Dunlap (four goals and three assists in 2011) and sophomore goalkeeper Brianna Furner are among seven returning starters and 13 returning letter winners.

Meanwhile, the visiting Vikings were picked to finish 2nd in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll following a 2011 season in which they allowed only 11 goals while compiling a record of 10-5-3. Western Washington returns eight players who started at least 11 games last year, including goalkeeper Jamie Arthurs, who posted a 0.55 goals against average and 11 shutouts.