HAYWARD — The Stanislaus State men's soccer team continued to show growth Thursday, even in the final game of 2021, battling all the way to the end in yet another one-goal game, as host Cal State East Bay held off the Warriors in a 2-1 California Collegiate Athletic Association win at Pioneer Stadium.
 
For the Warriors (6-11-1, 2-9-0 CCAA), another one-goal defeat was not the ideal way to end the season. But the team went from losing by an average of 3.4 goals per game in its first five losses, to getting clipped by only one goal in each of its final six. The team already matched its best win total over the past six years, and there will be plenty of firepower returning in 2022.
 
Julian Madrigal continued his hot streak to conclude the year, scoring the Warriors' lone goal in the 82nd minute. It was a set piece from Daniel Gomez, who sent a free kick from the right side bending towards the top of the box, where Madrigal headed it beautifully into the top of the net, just out of the reach of the CSUEB goalkeeper.
 
It was Madrigal's fourth goal in the season's final four games, giving him nine for the year and 22 total points. His nine goals are tied for fourth-most all-time in a single-season at Stanislaus State, and his 22 points are fifth-most. Gomez's fifth assist of the year on Thursday tied him for fifth all-time in a single season in that category.
 
"Today, we saw what could happen when we play to our potential and then what transpires when we don't apply ourselves," said Stanislaus State head coach Morgan Cathey. "We have seen we can be a top team and yet we know potential is only reached if everyone realizes that character is the driving force. I hope they can all see how important it is to take ownership, believe in the process and try to positively impact the guy next to them!"
 
Cal State East Bay (3-13-1, 2-9-0 CCAA) earned the victory with two first-half goals. Aaron Farnan netted the Pioneers' first score in the 24th minute off an assist from Alfonso Sandoval. Three minutes later, Sandoval himself scored his first goal of the season thanks to an assist from Josh Gaeckle to make it 2-0.
 
The Warriors very nearly completed the comeback in the game's final minute. Gomez was taking another free kick, this time from just outside the top of the box, about 25 yards out. He fired a shot right on net, but CSUEB's Jack Landreth made the save a step-and-a-half to his right, one of six saves he made on the day.