TURLOCK, Calif.---Stan State battled unbeaten No. 6 Cal State San Bernardino for 90 minutes Friday afternoon, but a first-half goal proved to be the difference as the Coyotes escaped with a 1-0 CCAA victory. Jesse Gonzalez scored the match's only goal in the 21st minute, while
Dylan Isasi made five saves for the Warriors. Stan State generated eight of its 13 shots in the second half and pushed for the equalizer until the final seconds.
FIRST HALF
Stan State created several opportunities during a strong opening stretch.
Adrian Yepez had three attempts in the first 16 minutes, including a shot on goal in the 13th minute that CSUSB goalkeeper Donovan Palomares stopped.
Kenneth Solares and
Cameron Belandres also had attempts blocked as the Warriors recorded five shots in the opening half.
The Coyotes broke through at the 20:52 mark when Gonzalez scored his first goal of the season off an assist from Anthony Luna to give CSUSB a 1-0 lead. Isasi kept the deficit at one with a pair of saves late in the half, stopping Diego Lopez in the 40th minute and Luna in the 42nd. CSUSB held a 7-5 advantage in shots at halftime, while Isasi recorded three saves.
SECOND HALF
CSUSB came out pressing after halftime, but Isasi made saves in the 49th and 52nd minutes to keep the Warriors within one. The Stan State defense did not allow another goal despite the Coyotes taking 10 second-half shots.
The Warriors continued searching for the equalizer.
Alexis Cervantes had an attempt in the 58th minute before
Colin Davis generated shots in the 74th and 80th minutes.
Stan State made a final push over the closing seven minutes. Cervantes had attempts in the 84th and 85th minutes, the Warriors earned a corner kick in the 87th, and Yepez had a shot blocked moments later. Davis followed with an attempt in the 88th minute before Solares had Stan State's final shot blocked with 21 seconds remaining.
The Warriors finished with 13 shots, including eight in the second half, while CSUSB had 17. Stan State held a 51-49 advantage in possession, while Isasi finished with five saves.
WARRIOR NOTABLES
- Stan State moves to 2-5-4 overall and 0-3-2 in CCAA play, while No. 6 Cal State San Bernardino improves to 8-0-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
- Isasi recorded five saves while allowing just one goal against the nation's No. 6 team.
- Yepez led Stan State with four shots, including the Warriors' lone shot on goal.
- The Warriors held a 51-49 advantage in possession.
- Stan State held CSUSB scoreless over the final 69 minutes.
- Friday marked Stan State's first home loss of the season after beginning the year 2-0-4 at home.
- Stan State's last three losses have come against teams currently ranked in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25 — No. 1 Cal State LA, No. 6 Cal State San Bernardino and No. 25 Cal State San Marcos.
UP NEXT
Stan State returns to the road Sunday, Oct. 4, when the Warriors face Cal State East Bay at 11:30 a.m. at the UCSF Health Oakland Roots & Soul Performance Center in Alameda. East Bay enters Sunday's match 2-7-2 overall and 2-2-1 in CCAA play after falling 4-2 to UC Merced Friday afternoon. Sunday's match will be streamed live on FloCollege.
Following Sunday's match, Stan State returns home Sunday, Oct. 11, to host UC Merced at 11 a.m. at Warrior Stadium. The Warriors will remain home to face Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 4 p.m.
