Box Score
ROHNERT PARK — The best player in program history was at it again.
Karenee Demery scored three goals on Sunday as the Warriors handled No. 2 Sonoma State, 4-1, at Seawolf Soccer Field.
Demery notched her second hat-trick of the season -- and third of her career -- to lead the 21st ranked Cal State Stanislaus women's soccer team to its biggest victory against a highest ranked team.
The win was extra impressive especially since Sonoma State was previously unbeaten with a high-power offense. Sonoma State entered the match 7-0 overall and 5-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. The Seawolves had allowed four goals and out-scored their opponents 22-4 prior to Sunday's showdown.
Cal State Stanislaus picked up its fifth straight win and improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Only an unlucky bounce off the cross bar prevented a fifth shutout of the season today. The Warriors are also 4-0 on the road this season.
"We played a fantastic attacking soccer today against an outstanding team," head coach
Gabriel Bolton said. "While they were ranked higher we don't consider it an upset. We have a lot of confidence that we can compete against any team in the country."
Demery scored twice in the first half to give Stanislaus a 2-0 halftime lead. Her first score came in the 21st minute after a sweet pass from
Bernie Bettencourt that split the defenders to allow Demery to score past SSU goalkeeper Alexia Sciacqua. Demery made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute on a header goal assisted by
Emily Relles.
Four minutes into the second half, the junior All-American finished a
Karli Nestler high pass over the defenders to make it 3-0.
Bettencourt converted on a penalty kick try at 60:43 for the Warriors' fourth goal. Behind another stellar performance by the defense,
Millie Brown earned four saves. Stanislaus held SSU to just five shots on goal, well below the Seawolves season average.
"Our defensive effort and organization was outstanding. The players executed the game plan really well and held one of the top offensive teams in check," added Bolton.
Cal State Stanislaus scored four goals for the third time in the last five matches while outscoring opponents 15-3.
Demery, who also scored in Friday's match at Humboldt State, now has 10 on the season. She had scored a hat-trick at Simon Fraser on Sept. 2. Her first career three-goal match was last November in the CCAA Championship victory over Chico State — the Warrior's next opponent on Friday in Chico.
The win over second-ranked Sonoma State marks the Warriors' best against a ranked team. Last year, Stanislaus beat No. 14 Cal State Dominguez Hills, tied No. 2 UC San Diego at home and defeated No. 7 UC San Diego, 2-1, during the CCAA tournament. The Warriors are unbeaten at 3-0-1 in their last four games against ranked teams.
