For the first time since in program history, the Stan State men's soccer team will travel to the Hawaiian Islands as the Warriors take on Hawaii Pacific and Chaminade this week.
Team Records: 0-1-1, 0-0-0 CCAA [CCAA Standings]
Thursday
Warriors at Hawaii Pacific (1-0), Waipahu, Hawaii, 4 p.m. HAST/7 p.m. PST | [Live Stats] [Live Video]
Saturday
Warriors at Chaminade (1-0), Waipahu, Hawaii, 2 p.m. HAST/5 p.m. PST | [Live Stats]
SERIES NOTES: The Warriors will be facing Hawaii Pacific for the third time (first time since 1999) and are 1-1-0 against the Sharks. HPU made visits to Turlock in 1998 and 1999 with the Warriors winning the first meeting 4-1 but lost on Sept. 15, 1999, 4-3, in overtime … This will be the first meeting between Stanislaus and Chaminade.
TRAVELING OUT OF STATE: Stanislaus State men's soccer is traveling to the island of O'ahu and the Hawaii Islands for the first time. The team departs early Wednesday morning and will return late Sunday night … In fact, this is the first time the team is traveling out of state since the start of 2013 season when the Warriors went to Nampa, Idaho.
HOT FEET: Saturday's match at Notre Dame de Namur was called after regulation despite the 1-1 score due to extreme heat in the Bay Area. With temperatures in the low 100s (Belmont reached 106) and playing on field turf in the middle of the afternoon, it felt like "140 and our feet were burning," said some of the Warriors after they returned from the bus trip. Players were seen pouring ice cold water on their feet during water breaks at the game.
OVERTIME GAMES: Stan State has already played in an overtime game this season and would have had another on Saturday if the match didn't get called after regulation, tied 1-1. In 2016, the Warriors played in seven OT matches and went 0-3-4. Since 2009, the begining of the Dana Taylor Era, the Warriors are 6-9-25 in 40 overtime matches.
FRESHMAN'S FAST START: Freshman defender Bradlee Taylor has already been a key part of the team's defense, but he's also contributing offensively. He assisted on the season's first goal Thursday at Fresno Pacific and scored the team's only goal on Saturday at NDNU on a bicycle kick off a rebound shot. Taylor, the youngest son of head coach Dana Taylor, has three points.
TRIPLE THREAT: Three different Warriors have scored goals and two others have been credited with assists in the first two matches of the season. Sean Baird and Joseph Mayorca also scored in Thursday's opener while Sean Bender and Matthew Waldron helped out on goals to earn assists.
GOALKEEPING NUMBERS: Tomas Zajfert has faired better in the first week of regular season play as the senior made two starts and played in 135 minutes. He's allowed just one goal with seven saves (0.67 GAA) and had the tie in Saturday's match versus NDNU. Patrick Colombana played in the second half and OT on Thursday at Fresno Pacific and gave up three goals.
DANA TAYLOR AT 75 WINS: Entering his ninth season, head coach Dana Taylor has posted 75 wins as the winningest coach in program history. He's now 75-55-26 after 156 matches.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: Both Hawaii Pacific and Chaminade are 1-0 and both beat Hawaii Hilo to start the season. HPU beat UHH, 4-1, on Saturday. Josch Cuerten scored twice, including a penalty kick tolead the Sharks … Chaminade won 2-1 in overtime with a Makoto Shoji score 1:47 into the extra period. Nick Kraus scored the other goal for the Silverswords … HPU is picked to finished 8th in the PacWest preseason poll, Chaminade 12th.
