TURLOCK — The Stanislaus State men's soccer team continues to engage in battles week in and week out. For the Warriors, though, things haven't always shaken out in their favor.
Sunday, the Warriors played another strong game, but it was Cal State San Bernardino who would come away with a victory, getting a game-winning goal in overtime to come from behind and win, 2-1, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at Warrior Stadium.
The game marked the Warriors' (6-8-1, 2-6-0 CCAA) third defeat after leading in a game this season. It was also their fourth defeat by only one goal. The 2021 squad has already equaled the most wins of any Warriors team since 2015, but it feels like there have been even more to have been earned.
"We haven't been the lucky team yet," said Stanislaus State head coach
Morgan Cathey. "We almost were the lucky team at the end in the last two minutes of regulation, could've got the goal, but I think for these guys it'll be a life lesson – that integrity is being who you are in every moment, no matter what."
Sunday also marked the final regular season home game for seven Stanislaus State seniors.
Miguel Galdamez,
Antonio Hernandez,
Jake Mendoza,
Jesus Nunez,
Alexis Salcedo, Alex Simas, and
Adrian Yepez, were all honored in a pregame ceremony.
CSUSB's (7-4-2, 5-2-1 CCAA) only goal in regulation was a penalty kick goal in the 30th minute. Gerardo Flores converted the chance for the Coyotes, but outside of that, the Warriors kept them off the scoreboard for more than 90 minutes of play. Even the game-winning goal came on a corner kick. Rigo Aguilar sent the ball to the back side of the box, where Juan Larios tapped it in with his left foot to win the game in the 95th minute.
Julian Madrigal tied for the team lead in goals with his sixth of the year in the 64th minute. The Warriors were given a free kick outside the penalty box about 15 yards from the end line. Madrigal fired a curving shot into the crowd in front of the net. Several of his teammates stuck a leg out to try and tip the ball in, but what they did was shield the goalkeeper and allow Madrigal's game to roll into the opposite side of the goal, tying the game at 1-1.
"It's so heartbreaking to see now four games where we definitely outplayed the opponent and the result goes to the opponent. I know for our guys, sure they know that's the reality, so I hope and pray that they don't lose hope. Because when you have moments like this when it doesn't come off for you, and you have the ball for 70% of the game, it's hard to keep hope, keep believing, keep focused. And so my heart is for these guys that they'll never stop."
The Warriors travel to the Bay Area next week for two CCAA matches. They face Sonoma State on Friday and San Francisco State on Sunday. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.
