Box Score Box Score

TURLOCK — All-American forward Karenee Demery scored the game-winner with 49 seconds left in regulation to lift Cal State Stanislaus over Chico State, 2-1, in a thrilling CCAA match.

Demery took a Vanessa Cervantes pass up the middle, dribbled, juked a couple of defenders and shot it past a diving Chico goalie Brianna Furner to the left for the winner.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 3-0-1 overall and 2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State Stanislaus is the CCAA coaches' pick to win the North Division.

Chico State falls to 1-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the CCAA.

"I'm very proud of our team. We played like Warriors today," CSUS head coach Gabriel Bolton said. "For 90 minutes we battled physically while still playing positive soccer."

Once again the Warrior defense was superb and played tough when the going got tough. For most of the second half, Chico State received many favorable and questionable calls, including the yellow card call that resulted in a Wildcat penalty kick.

Carly Singer converted on the penalty kick for Chico State at 65:10 to tie the score at 1-1.

Cal State Stanislaus defenders managed to lock down and deny a strong offensive attack by the Wildcats, especially in the second half.

"Defensively we played fantastic.  Our center defenders (Vanessa Cervantes) and (Sierra Casas) were absolutely brilliant today.  They communicated and organized the back line very well," Bolton said. "Emily Relles and Bernie Bettencourt also played very well defensively."

After a scoreless first half where the teams battled evenly, the Warriors came out of the locker room with a quick strike to start the second half.

Allison Case scored just 25 seconds into the half. She was set up on a nice cross from Alexia Poon to Demery who touched it to Case for the goal.

After the Chico PK a tighter battle ensued with both teams creating chances to no result -- until the run by the Warriors in the final minute.

"Our forwards are capable of striking at any time. It doesn't take much because they have so much speed and talent," Bolton said. "Karenee absolutely beat two defenders and then beat the goalie. It was a big time goal."

Demery, who set a school record with 19 goals and 44 points a year ago and ultimately racked up numerous postseason awards, now has two goals this season. With 21 career goals, she is just seven shy of tying the CSUS career record — and she is just a sophomore.

Cal State Stanislaus will now get into the toughest part of the schedule. The Warriors will have to spend the rest of September playing away games starting with Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills next weekend.