CHICO, Calif.---  Even though the visiting Stan State Warriors outshot the No. 16 Chico State Wildcats 9-4 including 6-3 in shot on goal attempts, the Warriors lost 2-1 to the hosts this evening at University Soccer Stadium in Chico, Calif.  Landon Leal Ruiz scored the Warriors' goal in the fifth minute off a ball from Edgar Castaneda and Alecxander Cuellar.  Chico State (6-1) scored what proved to be the game-winner just ten minutes into the second half on a goal by Benjamin Ralph.

FIRST HALF:  Chico State scored the match's first goal in the fifth minute as Miles Rice gave the Wildcats the 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal.  The Warriors didn't trail long as Landon Leal Ruiz tied the match at 1-1 just thirty-five seconds later off a ball from Edgar Castaneda and Alecxander Cuellar.  Stan State (4-2-1) had a chance to take the lead, but Emanuel Padilla stopped Jacob Ramirez's shot on goal attempt in the tenth minute.  The guests had another chance for the go-ahead goal in the 22^nd minute, when Castaneda's attempt was stopped by Padilla.  Stan State's final shot on goal attempt of the half came with 13 minutes left when Padilla snagged Sammy Villanueva's shot on goal attempt.  Chico State had a chance to take lead late in the half when Angel Ruiz-Hernandez stopped Vasilios Syrengelas shot on goal attempt as the match went into the half tied at 1-1.

SECOND HALF:  Just ten minutes into the new half, the hosts took the 2-1 lead on a goal by Benjamin Ralph off a cross from Sylus Sells.  At the 58^th minute, Daniel Avalos looked like he going to tie the match for the Warriors, but Padilla made a stop of the shot on goal attempt.  Stan State had another chance to tie the match for the Warriors, but the Chico State goalkeeper snagged Adrian Yepez's shot on goal attempt in the 72^nd minute.  The Warriors had two final chances late in the match go to the right of the net one off the foot of Edgar Castaneda and the other from Alexis Ramirez as Chico State held on for the 2-1 non-conference victory.

4-2-1:  Stan State finishes its non-conference slate with a 4-2-1 record.  The Warriors are averaging 2.14 goals a game while giving up 1.29 goals a game.  They recorded two shutouts in their seven non-conference games, both 2-0 road victories over Hawai'i Pacific and Academy of Art.

FIRST ONE:  Landon Leal Ruiz scored his first goal as a Warrior this evening at the 5:02 mark of the match.  During his two-year career at Cal Poly Humboldt, the junior scored one goal and had an assist both coming in 2023. 

LEADERS: With their assist on Landon Leal Ruiz's goal, Alecxander Cuellar and Edgar Castaneda are one-two on the Warriors in scoring.  Cuellar has a team high seven points with two goals and three assists including two of Stan State's four game-winning goals.  Castaneda has a team high four assists with one goal.

UP NEXT:  The Warriors will begin their CCAA schedule with two home matches at Warrior Stadium, October 4 and 6.  Stan State will host Cal State Dominguez Hills this Friday, October 4 at 4:30 p.m. The Warriors will finish the home stand with a 11:30 a.m. starting match this Sunday, October 6 against No. 3 Cal State Los Angeles.