TURLOCK — The Stanislaus State men's soccer team were in control for 66 minutes Thursday night, and then in a matter of only four minutes, everything flipped.
Humboldt State earned its first California Collegiate Athletic Association victory with a tying and go-ahead goal both within a four-minute span to come from behind and beat the Warriors, 2-1, at Warrior Stadium.
Dayne Sturtevant had handed the Warriors (5-6-1, 1-4-0 CCAA) their first lead in two weeks during the 20th minute with his sixth goal of the year. It was a tic-tac goal with two on-the-money passes from
Adrian Yepez and
Julian Madrigal. Yepez found an open Madrigal in the midfield, who then promptly slipped the ball to a running Sturtevant through the defensive back line, giving him a 1-on-1 with the Humboldt State goalkeeper. His sixth goal of the season tied him for eighth all-time on the Stanislaus State single season list.
The score stayed 1-0 Stanislaus State for the next 45 minutes – an entire half's worth of time – through halftime and nearly past the midpoint of the second half. That's when the Lumberjacks (7-2-2, 1-2-2 CCAA) scored the tying goal, nearly the same exact way Stan State had scored its go-ahead goal.
HSU was passing the ball back and forth in the Warriors' defensive midfield, trying to find an opening. Devin Hauenstein found it by tapping the ball to Edgar Castaneda, who carried it left and found a moving Yushi Kato. Kato had to stutter step a bit, but he gathered the ball and slipped right past the Warriors' defensive line, giving him a 1-on-1 with the 'keeper as well, which he won shooting low-right across the box to knot the game at 1-1.
Four minutes later, Humboldt State was awarded a free kick to the right of the goal about 24 yards out. Ramiro Rosas took the kick and buried it in the far left corner with a long, strong shot. That put the Lumberjacks ahead for good at 2-1.
The Warriors had a couple of opportunities for an equalizer in the game's final 10 minutes, both off the foot of
Alexis Salcedo. In the 82nd minute, the Warriors were awarded a free kick about a half-foot outside of the penalty box. Salcedo fired a shot to the left of the wall, but HSU 'keeper Adrian Gallardo made a diving save to preserve the lead.
And in the waning seconds of the match, the Warriors had the ball down near the end line and loaded the box. During the 10-second countdown, Salcedo was able to get a strong foot on a loose ball from only eight yards out, but his shot sailed high as the final seconds ticked off the clock and the horn sounded.
Stanislaus State travels to Chico State on Sunday for a 2 p.m. CCAA match. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.
