TURLOCK — It took extra time Sunday night, but the first victory of the Morgan Cathey Era is in the books.
 
The Stanislaus State men's soccer team got its first win of the 2021 season and the first under head coach Morgan Cathey Sunday with a thrilling, 1-0, sudden victory in overtime against Academy of Art at Warrior Stadium.
 
The game-winning goal was set up thanks to a foul and yellow card issued to Academy of Art's Adrian Cekala with just 71 seconds left in the first overtime period. That gave the Warriors (1-2-1) a free kick opportunity about 30 yards out from the goal.
 
Daniel Gomez lobbed the free ball into the penalty area, where it was jostled around by several players. But the ball got loose for a fleeting second, bouncing by itself at the feet of the Art U defenders. That's when Jorge Lara, falling to the ground on his side, put his right foot on the ball and sent it through the traffic and past the Urban Knights' (0-3) goalkeeper for the game-winning goal.
 
"I think it's really important that our guys continue to believe in the process of what we're trying to do," said Cathey. "Against Dominican and Holy Names, the biggest moments in the game where we were trying to impose ourselves, we made mistakes that led to really crucial goals for the opponent, and I think it ultimately – for anybody – makes us doubt a little bit.
 
"I think today it shows that our team hasn't doubted, they continue to believe and they know that if we do the right things, we'll create a lot of good chances."
 
The Warriors dominated offensively for most of the night, outshooting the Urban Knights, 21-9. But they only put six of those shots on goal. In contrast, the Warriors defense only allowed Academy of Art to take nine shots all night, but more than half (five) were on net. Stan State 'keeper Sebastian Castellanos made all five saves for his second overtime clean sheet of the year.
 
For Cathey, his first win as head coach of the Stanislaus State program was two years in the making after being hired before the 2020 season and seeing it cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"We know where we're trying to go," said Cathey. "I think our guys have waited a long time to see the fruit of their labor. Today, to be able to do a lot of good things – we still didn't play nearly as well as I think we can – but to get a win, I think our guys are really happy, I'm really happy for them.
 
"Because ultimately, we're in this process to win, and to sustain wins. So hopefully, that continues and we do it in a better way every day.
 
The Warriors next travel to Fresno Pacific on Thursday. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.