TURLOCK, Calif. — For the first time in program history, the Stan State men's soccer team will host the opening rounds of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship, as the No. 3-ranked Warriors were announced Monday as the top seed in Super Region 4.
The Warriors (16-1-1) will host first and second round matches this week, November 21st and 23rd, at Warrior Stadium. Stan State, the 2025 CCAA Champion and Super Region 4's top overall seed, earned a first-round bye and will open play in the second round against the winner of the Western Oregon and Hawai'i Hilo match.
Under the direction of third year head coach
John Powell — the 2025 CCAA Coach of the Year — Stan State captured its first CCAA Championship title since 2012, posting shutouts over Cal State East Bay (2–0) and Cal State San Marcos (3–0) in Seaside. The Warriors have outscored opponents 42–9 this season, recorded 11 shutouts, and feature one of the nation's most balanced and complete squads.
Stan State was well-represented in the 2025 All-CCAA postseason awards, led by
Gerardo Flores, who was named CCAA Forward of the Year;
Angel Ruiz-Hernandez, the CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year; and
Sebastian Carbajal, who earned CCAA Freshman of the Year honors. Powell was recognized as the conference's Coach of the Year.
Nine Warriors earned All-CCAA recognition:
Emmanuel Duran, Flores,
Ian Reis, and
Samuel Villanueva were named to the First Team; Carbajal was selected to the Second Team; and
Federico Barbieri,
Jose Ponce, Landon Real Ruiz, and
Adrian Yepez received Honorable Mention honors.
Villanueva was named the CCAA Tournament Offensive MVP and Reis earned Defensive MVP honors. They were joined on the CCAA All-Tournament Team by Duran, Ruiz-Hernandez, and
Alexis Cervantes for their key contributions during the championship run.
Anchored by CCAA Tournament Defensive MVP Reis and All-CCAA standouts Villanueva and Ruiz-Hernandez, Stan State's back line of
David Lozano,
Christian Brenes,
Federico Barbieri,
Ryan Rosas, and
Hugo Canedo has powered a defense that has allowed just nine goals all season. Offensively, Duran and Flores lead a dynamic attack that has produced 42 goals and 48 assists across 18 matches.
The Warriors are making their third NCAA appearance in program history (2012, 2015, 2025) and their first since 2015, when they tied Cal State Los Angeles 1–1 in the NCAA Championship First Round before falling 3–0 in penalty kicks. Stan State earned its first NCAA postseason victory in 2012 with a 3–2 win over Notre Dame de Namur.
Bracket Preview
Stan State is the No. 1 seed in Super Region 4 and will host the second round at Warrior Stadium in Turlock. The first-round matchup on Friday, Nov. 21, features No. 8 Western Oregon against No. 9 Hawai'i Hilo at 1pm. The winner will advance to face Stan State in the second round on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
The complete schedule, including ticket information for the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship First and Second Rounds at Warrior Stadium, will be announced later tonight or Tuesday on warriorathletics.com.
