TURLOCK, Calif.--- Stan State women's soccer outshot Central Valley rival UC Merced 10-6 in the second half and placed five shots on goal after halftime, but the Warriors couldn't overcome a first-half goal in a 1-0 loss to the Bobcats Sunday afternoon at Warrior Stadium.
Aliah Avila led Stan State with four shots, including three on goal, while
Zara Mujica recorded two saves. The Warriors fell to 6-4-2 overall and 5-3 in the CCAA with 15 conference points, while UC Merced improved to 6-1-5 overall and 3-1-4 in conference play.
First Half
UC Merced controlled much of the opening half, generating nine shots and three corner kicks while limiting Stan State to one shot.
The Bobcats threatened early, with Gabby Gonzales sending an attempt high in the eighth minute before Lexi Wright missed wide in the 16th minute. UC Merced continued to pressure the Warriors, earning its third corner kick in the 20th minute.
Stan State generated its first scoring opportunity in the 24th minute when
Haylee Sousa put an attempt on goal, but UC Merced goalkeeper Alicia Lepe made the save.
The Bobcats broke the scoreless tie in the 27th minute when former Warrior
Jocelin Roa scored her ninth goal of the season at the 26:15 mark off an assist from Sofia Reiswig, giving UC Merced a 1-0 advantage.
Mujica kept the Warriors within one goal, stopping Makayla Day's attempt in the 33rd minute. UC Merced continued creating opportunities late in the half, but Stan State's defense prevented the Bobcats from extending their lead. The Warriors entered halftime trailing 1-0, with UC Merced holding a 9-1 advantage in shots and a 3-0 edge in corner kicks.
Second Half
Stan State came out with a stronger offensive attack in the second half, recording 10 shots and putting five on goal.
UC Merced generated the first scoring opportunity after halftime, but Mujica stopped Andrea Alvarenga's attempt in the 49th minute. The Bobcats added several attempts before the Warriors began creating scoring chances.
Avila put Stan State's first second-half shot on goal in the 56th minute, but Lepe made the save.
Franchesca Maiden sent an attempt wide in the 62nd minute before
Alexi Ochoa and
Mandy Thao added shots in the 67th and 69th minutes.
The Warriors increased their pressure midway through the half. Avila forced Lepe into another save in the 73rd minute before
Olivia Maragos put an attempt on goal in the 74th minute. Lepe stopped both attempts to maintain UC Merced's one-goal advantage.
Avila continued to challenge the Bobcats' defense, putting another shot on goal in the 79th minute. She added an attempt that was blocked in the 85th minute before
Kyndra Obermeyer sent a shot high in the 87th minute.
Stan State earned a corner kick in the final minute and generated one last opportunity when Ochoa put an attempt on goal with 25 seconds remaining, but Lepe made her sixth save of the afternoon to preserve the victory.
The Warriors finished with 11 shots, including six on goal, while UC Merced recorded 15 shots with three on goal. Stan State held a 10-6 advantage in second-half shots and a 5-1 edge in shots on goal after halftime.
Mujica played all 90 minutes and recorded two saves, while Lepe finished with six saves for the Bobcats.
Warrior Notables
- Stan State fell to 6-4-2 overall and 5-3 in the CCAA with 15 conference points.
- The Warriors outshot UC Merced 10-6 in the second half, including a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.
- Mujica recorded two saves, increasing her career total to 116. She moved past Alyssa Herrman (2015-19), who finished with 115, into seventh place in Stan State history.
- Stan State's defense limited UC Merced to three shots on goal despite the Bobcats attempting 15 shots.
- The Warriors had their two-match winning streak snapped after recording consecutive shutout victories over Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State.
- Sunday's match was the third all-time meeting between the Central Valley rivals, with UC Merced earning its first victory in the series. Stan State now leads the all-time series 2-1.
- A crowd of 421 attended Sunday's match at Warrior Stadium.
CCAA Standings
Cal State San Bernardino leads the CCAA standings with 20 points and a 6-0-2 conference record, followed by Cal Poly Pomona with 16 points at 4-0-4. Stan State is tied for third place with Chico State with 15 points apiece. The Warriors are 5-3 in conference play, while the Wildcats are 4-1-3. Cal State San Marcos, Cal State LA and Cal Poly Humboldt are tied with 14 points each and currently occupy the final three postseason positions. UC Merced is eighth with 13 points, just one point behind the final tournament position.
The top seven teams in the final regular-season standings advance to the CCAA Tournament, with the top seed receiving a first-round bye. The tournament begins Sunday, Nov. 1, with quarterfinal matches hosted by the higher seeds at campus sites. The semifinals will take place Thursday, Nov. 5, with the championship match scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Kellogg Stadium in Pomona.
Up Next
Stan State remains home to host No. 12 Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at Warrior Stadium. The Warriors then travel to Atherton to face Menlo on Saturday, Oct. 17, at noon. Stan State visits Chico State on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4 p.m. before returning home for Senior Day against Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. at Warrior Stadium. Prior to the match, the Warriors will recognize seniors
Zara Mujica,
Mandy Thao,
Alexi Ochoa,
Kayla Perez,
Olivia Kamm,
Aliah Avila,
Francesca Hahn and
Amanda Do.
The Warriors conclude the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 29, with an 11 a.m. road match at Fresno Pacific.
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