AZUSA, Calif.---  In a tight back and forth non-conference West Regional match-up in Azusa, Calif., it was the hosts (Azusa Pacific Cougars) coming out on top 3-2.  The Cougars scored two three unanswered goals to key their victory.  The Warriors battled back but fell short in their straight road match to begin the 2023 regular season.  Edgar Castaneda and Finn Hoffmann each scored unassisted goals for the visitors.
 
FIRST HALF:  The match was scoreless until the 13^th minute.  Edgar Castaneda had the Warriors' first chance for the lead, but Leo Moreno came up with the save.  Two minutes later, Castaneda saw his shot attempt come up short as did Nate Montejano's ten seconds later.  Less than twenty seconds later, Castaneda connected on his second goal in as many matches to give Stan State (1-2) the 1-0 lead.
Azusa Pacific had two chances in the next twenty minutes to tie the match, but Robby Rosas recorded two saves including one off the foot of Navarro Quesada in the 33^rd minute.  One minute later, Gabriel Oropeza connected on the Cougars' first goal of the match to tie it at 1-1.  Castaneda had a chance to give the Warriors back the lead late in the half, but his shot sailed wide of the net to send match into the half with the visitors leading 1-0.
 
SECOND HALF:  Stan State had a chance early in the half to retake its lead again, but Tyler Tipton's shot attempt fell short in the 51^st minute.  Azusa Pacific (1-1-1) took the 2-1 lead in the 58^th on unassisted goal by Shane Eaton.  Ten minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead on a goal by Issaka Salifu off a free kick.  Stan State didn't go away as Finn Hoffman connected on a goal off a free kick from 25 yards out to cut the deficit to 3-2. It looked like the Warriors had a chance to tie the lead late in the match, but the Cougars knocked their corner kick out of the box.  Stan State's Nick Namwali made a key save in the final minutes, but the clock ran out as Azusa Pacific took the 3-2 victory.
 
STATS: Azusa Pacific outshot the Warriors 18-10 including 10-2 in the second half.  Robby Rosas had six saves in goal for the guests including five in the first half.  Leo Moreno had three saves for the Cougars.  
 
ALL ONE GOAL MATCHES:  All three of the Warriors' first three matches were decided by one goal to start the season.  Stan State lost 2-1 to Simon Fraser to begin the season and came back to defeat Saint Martin's 2-1.  Then this evening, the Warriors lost 3-2.
 
ONE MORE MATCH:  Stan State will end its season beginning four-match road trip this Wednesday, September 13 at 7pm against Central Valley rival, Fresno Pacific, in Fresno, Calif.
 
HOME OPENER:  The Warriors' home opener is set for Saturday, September 16 at 7pm against Hawai'i Pacific at Warrior Stadium.  Two days earlier, Hawai'i Pacific will face Cal Poly Humboldt at Warrior Stadium at 7pm.