TURLOCK — Playing in overtime matches is nothing new to these Stanislaus State Warriors. On Sunday, in front of many family, friends and University President Dr. Ellen Junn on Senior Day, the Warriors won in dramatic fashion in extra time over Cal State East Bay.
Senior
Matthew Waldron converted on a penalty kick at 97:58 to cap off a day of celebrations with more cheers as the Warriors won 3-2 in another offensive shootout. Stan State improved to 6-4-5 overall and 3-3-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. These three points could become crucial as Stan State is now just a point behind sixth place teams Cal State L.A. and San Francisco State in the standings.
The Warriors have now played in eight overtime matches this season, including four of six home contests. Stan State has only loss once in these long matches as it improved to 2-1-5 on Sunday.
Cal State East Bay (3-11-2, 0-9-1 CCAA) gave it all it had in trying to spoil Senior Day celebrations for nine Warriors playing in their final home match. The Pioneers struck first with an early goal by TJ Butler less than four minutes into the contest.
That 1-0 score stood until the second half as the offensive intensity picked-up to much higher levels by both sides.
Stan State scored two unanswered goals — first by
Khalil Kirksey on a text-book header bouncer into the net in the 50th minute. His score was beautifully set-up by a slotted pass by
Ahmed Mohammed to
Daniel Galvan, whose try was knocked away by CSUEB goalkeeper Omar Coronel.
Mohammed himself would score the then-go-ahead goal in the 58th minute from a
Bradlee Taylor free kick.
However, the Pioneers answered right back. Jonathan Cuevas scored the equalizer in a minute and a half later and eventually set-up overtime.
With 2:02 left to play in the first overtime, Taylor sent a long service into the box towards Kirksey, but Kirksey was tackled by Bulter to give Stan State the penalty kick award. Waldron calmly booted it past Coronel for the thrilling finish.
In all, the Warriors offense dominated. They took 28 shots to CSUEB's 8 with 11 on frame. Two Pioneer goalkeepers collected a total of eight saves. Senior
Patrick Colombana had two saves in net for the Warriors.
Stan State will wrap up its regular season next weekend with road games at Cal State L.A. (Thursday) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (Saturday) as the Warrior played for a CCAA tournament berth.
