TURLOCK — Persistence pays off.
 
The Stanislaus State men's soccer team has seen its share of heartbreaks this season, but haven't stopped pushing. And Friday, the effort paid off. The Warriors got the only goal they would need in the seventh minute, holding off visiting Cal State San Marcos in a 1-0 California Collegiate Athletic Association shutout win at Warrior Stadium.
 
"I'm incredibly proud of our guys for putting themselves in position to win the game, and for us to keep a clean sheet," said Stanislaus State head coach Morgan Cathey. "We've done so well for such large parts of the last five games, and tonight, to have us not do well for parts of the game and give the opponent some clear opportunities, yet our resolve kept the ball out of the net, was so awesome for our guys to earn their luck tonight."
 
Josh Santillan's third goal of the year came just over six minutes into the contest. Finn Hoffman dribbled the ball into the box from the far side and sent a pass to Santillan towards the top. A Cal State San Marcos defender got a foot on the ball, but it still found its way to Santillan, who fired a shot into the upper corner to put the Warriors up, 1-0.
 
An early lead hasn't always meant victory for the Warriors this season, however. Just two games ago on the same field, Stan State took a 1-0 lead over Humboldt State in the 20th minute, only to see the Lumberjacks come from behind in the second half to win, 2-1.
 
Not this time, though.
 
The Warriors (6-7-1, 2-5-0 CCAA) posted their fourth shutout of the year, earning their sixth win of the season to match their most wins in the past six years – all under second-year head coach (and first season) Morgan Cathey.
 
"I believe this will be an incredible game for our guys to learn and grow, not just because what happened on the field, but I believe our guys tonight will grow closer as a team and take huge steps towards what we want our program to be about every day, with every player, in every moment," said Cathey, "and not just with tomorrow and tonight, but making sure we leave this place better than we found it and making sure we honor the program for how many guys have come before and given everything they can, and how many guys have done so well to honor this program even if they only get a little in return the last six years.
 
"We want to make sure Warriors soccer is remembered every time we play."
 
The Warriors will honor seven seniors in a pregame ceremony ahead of Sunday's 2 p.m. scheduled matchup against Cal State San Bernardino. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.