TURLOCK, Calif. — History will be made Sunday afternoon at Warrior Stadium as the No. 3-ranked Stan State men's soccer team hosts No. 8 Midwestern State in the NCAA Division II Super Region IV Third Round at 3 p.m. This marks the first time in program history that the Warriors have reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament, and they will do so on their home field against one of the most successful programs in Division II men's soccer history.

Season Recap — Stan State Warriors
Under third-year head coach John Powell, the 2025 CCAA Coach of the Year, Stan State (17-1-1) has enjoyed a record-breaking season that has redefined the standard for Warrior men's soccer. The Warriors captured both the CCAA regular-season and tournament titles, earned the No. 1 seed in Super Region IV, and reached the highest national ranking in program history at No. 3.

Stan State's balance and consistency have been keys to its success throughout the season. Led by CCAA Forward of the Year Gerardo Flores and CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year Angel Ruiz-Hernandez, the Warriors feature one of the nation's top defenses and most dynamic attacks. The veteran back line — anchored by CCAA Tournament Defensive MVP Ian Reis and CCAA Tournament Offensive MVP Samuel Villanueva alongside David Lozano, Federico Barbieri, Christian Brenes, Jose Tizoc, Ryan Rosas, and Hugo Canedo — has provided reliability and leadership all season.

The Warriors earned a program-best 10 All-CCAA honors, including four individual awards. Head coach John Powell was named Coach of the Year, Ruiz-Hernandez earned Goalkeeper of the Year, and Flores received Forward of the Year recognition. First Team All-CCAA selections included Flores, Emmanuel Duran, Reis, Samuel Villanueva, and Ruiz-Hernandez. Sebastian Carbajal was a Second Team honoree, while Landon Real Ruiz, Barbieri, Adrian Yepez, and Jose Ponce all received Honorable Mention honors.

Second-Round Recap — Stan State 2, Hawai'i Hilo 0
Stan State advanced to the NCAA Third Round for the first time in program history with a 2–0 victory over Hawai'i Hilo in last Sunday's second-round matchup. The Warriors struck twice in the first half to take command early. In the 24th minute, Emmanuel Duran opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season, finishing a smooth passing sequence from Jose Ponce and Samuel Villanueva. Villanueva's assist was his 16th career helper, breaking the program's all-time record previously held by Nolan Holdridge (2009–12).

The Warriors doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Sebastian Carbajal scored his seventh goal of the year, again assisted by Villanueva. The senior's 17th career assist also set a new single-season program record with 13. Goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez made three saves to earn his 12th shutout of the season, while defenders Reis, Lozano, Barbieri, Brenes, Tizoc, Rosas, and Canedo anchored a back line that limited the Vulcans to just three shots on goal.

Season Recap — Midwestern State Mustangs
Midwestern State (15-3-3), under head coach Michael Meachum, has reestablished itself as one of the top programs in Division II. The Mustangs, who earned an at-large NCAA bid, enter Sunday's contest on a nine-match unbeaten streak and have posted 12 shutouts while allowing just 15 goals all season.

MSU features a balanced and efficient attack, averaging nearly two goals per game while boasting one of the country's strongest defensive units. Junior forward Parker Plaxco leads the team with 12 goals and five assists, while Alan Rivera, Liam Kervick, and Cooper Tea have each added five goals. Goalkeeper Jake Morris (0.67 GAA, .816 save percentage) has been a consistent presence in net for the Mustangs.

Second-Round Recap — Midwestern State 1, Seattle Pacific 0 (2OT)
Midwestern State advanced to the third round in dramatic fashion, defeating No. 5 Seattle Pacific 1–0 on a golden goal with just 15 seconds remaining in double overtime on Saturday in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Mustangs controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting SPU 34–5 with 12 shots on goal, but were repeatedly denied by Falcons goalkeeper Brian Lanier, who made 10 saves.

Junior forward Parker Plaxco ultimately delivered the game-winning moment in the 110th minute, firing home the rebound after a blocked shot to send the Mustangs through. The result marked MSU's 12th shutout of the year and extended its unbeaten streak to nine matches heading into the third round.

CCAA Tournament Champions and All-Tournament Honors
Five members of the No. 3 Stan State men's soccer team earned spots on the 2025 CCAA All-Tournament Team after leading the Warriors to their first CCAA Championship title since 2012. Senior defender Ian Reis was named the tournament's Defensive MVP, while senior defender Samuel Villanueva earned Offensive MVP honors. They were joined on the All-Tournament Team by Alexis Cervantes, Emmanuel Duran, and Angel Ruiz-Hernandez.

The Warriors secured back-to-back shutout victories in the tournament, defeating Cal State East Bay 2–0 in the semifinals and Cal State San Marcos 3–0 in the championship match. Reis anchored a defensive unit that did not allow a goal in either contest, while Ruiz-Hernandez recorded 10 total saves to preserve consecutive clean sheets. Duran, Cervantes, and Villanueva each played key offensive roles as Stan State outscored its opponents 5–0 en route to the conference title and the program's first automatic NCAA Tournament berth in 13 years.

Stan State Postseason History
Stan State's men's soccer program continues to build its postseason legacy in 2025. This year marks the Warriors' third NCAA Tournament appearance (2012, 2015, 2025) and their first trip to the NCAA Third Round. The Warriors hold a 2–2 all-time record in NCAA Championship play. Stan State also claimed its second CCAA Championship this fall, joining the 2012 title team, and has now appeared in the CCAA Tournament six times (2006, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2025), compiling a 5-3-4 record.

In 2012, Stan State won its first CCAA title and earned its first NCAA postseason win, defeating Notre Dame de Namur 3–2 before falling to Simon Fraser 2–1 in the West Region Second Round. In 2015, the Warriors reached the NCAA Tournament again but were eliminated by Cal State Los Angeles in a 1–1 (0–3 PK) shootout. Now, in 2025, Stan State has captured both the CCAA regular-season and tournament crowns and advanced to uncharted territory with its first-ever NCAA Third Round appearance.

Warriors in the Record Books
Several current Warriors have already etched their names into the Stan State career record books. Senior defender Samuel Villanueva is the program's all-time assists leader with 17, surpassing Nolan Holdridge (2009–12), and ranks ninth all-time in career points (29). CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year Angel Ruiz-Hernandez ranks second all-time in shutouts (17), third in career wins (23), sixth in saves (128), and fourth in minutes played (3,132).

Single-Season Warriors
The 2025 Warriors have also left their mark in the program's single-season record book. Emmanuel Duran's 10 goals rank fifth-most in a season, while Gerardo Flores' nine goals and Sebastian Carbajal's seven both sit within the program's top ten. Villanueva's 13 assists this year set a new single-season record, surpassing the previous mark of 10 set in 2015, and Adrian Yepez's seven assists are tied for fourth on the all-time single-season list. In total points, Flores (24) and Duran (23) both rank among the top ten all-time for a season, and Villanueva's 17 points place him just behind them. In goal, Angel Ruiz-Hernandez's 11.5 shutouts this year are the most in a single season in Stan State history, capping a campaign that stands among the best ever by a Warrior goalkeeper.

Team Records
The 2025 Warriors have also rewritten the Stan State men's soccer record book as a team. Their 17 wins are the most in a single season in program history, surpassing the previous record of 16 (set in 2012). With 12 shutouts this fall, the Warriors tied the program record for most team shutouts in a season, matching the 2012 squad. Stan State's defense has allowed just nine goals, breaking the school record for fewest goals conceded in a season (previously 14 in 2012). The Warriors' .917 winning percentage currently stands as the best in program history. Offensively, Stan State's 44 goals rank among the top three single-season totals in school history, while the team's 46 assists broke the program's previous single-season record of 42 set in 2015.

What's at Stake
The winner of Sunday's match will advance to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals (Dec. 6) to face the winner of No. 16 Point Loma and No. 19 UCCS, who play Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. in San Diego. The national semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 12 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colo., with the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship set for Sunday, Dec. 14, at 12 p.m. PT.

How to Watch
Tickets, live stats, and streaming information for Sunday's NCAA Super Region IV Third Round match are available at warriorathletics.com. The game will also be streamed live on the NCAA Championships Pass at ncaa.com/champs-pass with Joe Donahue calling the action.

The full NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship bracket can be viewed at ncaa.com/brackets/soccer-men/d2/2025.