Stanislaus State Athletics

CHICO, Calif.--- Haylee Sousa scored in the 25th minute off an assist from Olivia Maragos, but Chico State answered with a second-half penalty kick as Stan State women's soccer battled the Wildcats to a 1-1 CCAA draw Thursday afternoon at University Soccer Stadium. The Warriors moved to 7-5-3 overall and 6-4-1 in conference play with 19 points, while Chico State moved to 6-6-4 overall and 5-2-4 in the CCAA with 19 points. Zara Mujica recorded six saves for Stan State, which snapped a four-match losing streak against the Wildcats.

First Half
Stan State generated the first offensive opportunities of the match, with Franchesca Maiden having a shot blocked in the seventh minute before Sousa sent an attempt wide in the eighth minute.

Chico State responded with pressure of its own. Olivia Hohnstein had an attempt stopped by the Stan State defense in the 10th minute before Baylee Gregerson sent a shot high in the 11th minute. Mujica made her first save in the 22nd minute, stopping Mia Cook's attempt.

The Warriors broke through in the 25th minute when Maragos delivered a cross into the penalty area from the left side. Chico State goalkeeper Charlotte Mailer got a touch on the ball but could not secure it, allowing Sousa to collect the loose ball and finish into the right side of the net at the 24:49 mark. The goal was Sousa's first of the season, while Maragos recorded her fourth assist.

Chico State looked to answer in the 28th minute, but Mujica stopped Makayla Quesada's attempt to preserve the lead.
Stan State continued attacking, with Sousa sending another shot high in the 33rd minute before Maiden and Lorena Moreno recorded attempts in the closing minutes of the half.

The Warriors entered halftime leading 1-0 after holding a 6-4 advantage in shots. Chico State held a 3-1 edge in shots on goal, with Mujica recording two saves and the Stan State defense adding a team save.

Second Half
Chico State came out attacking after halftime, with Ava Jara forcing Mujica into a save in the 47th minute before sending another attempt wide in the 50th minute.
Mujica continued to protect the Warriors' lead, stopping another attempt by Jara in the 64th minute.

Stan State nearly doubled its advantage in the 67th minute when Sousa sent an attempt on goal, but Mailer made the save to keep the Wildcats within one goal.
Chico State tied the match in the 72nd minute after being awarded a penalty kick following a Stan State foul. Gabby Starr converted the opportunity at the 71:24 mark to even the score at 1-1.

The Warriors looked to regain the lead, with Maiden sending attempts wide in the 73rd and 81st minutes. Aliah Avila followed with a shot wide in the 81st minute before having another attempt blocked in the 86th minute.

Chico State also threatened in the closing minutes. Mujica stopped Quesada's attempt in the 84th minute before denying Gregerson in the 86th minute to preserve the draw.
Neither team found the go-ahead goal in the final minutes as the match ended in a 1-1 tie.

Both teams finished with 11 shots, while Chico State held an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Mujica played all 90 minutes and recorded six saves, while Mailer finished with one save for the Wildcats.

Warrior Notables

• Stan State moved to 7-5-3 overall and 6-4-1 in the CCAA with 19 conference points.
• Sousa scored her first goal of the season and the third of her Stan State career.
• Maragos recorded her fourth assist of the season, increasing her team-leading point total to 16 with six goals and four assists.
• Mujica recorded six saves, increasing her career total to 131 and moving into sixth place in Stan State history, passing Kara Keene (2000-01), who finished with 129.
• The Warriors snapped a four-match losing streak against Chico State and earned their first point against the Wildcats since a 2-0 victory in Chico on Nov. 2, 2023.
• The Warriors moved to 14-20-10 in the all-time series against Chico State.
• Stan State is 3-2-2 in CCAA road matches this season.

CCAA Standings
Following Thursday's 1-1 draw at Chico State, Stan State is in a four-way tie for fourth place in the CCAA standings with 19 points. The Warriors are 6-4-1 in conference play, while Cal Poly Pomona (5-1-4), Chico State (5-2-4) and Cal State Monterey Bay (5-2-4) also have 19 points. Cal State San Bernardino leads the conference with 24 points (7-0-3), followed by Cal State San Marcos with 23 points (7-2-2) and Cal State LA with 20 points (6-2-2). UC Merced is eighth with 16 points, followed by Cal Poly Humboldt with 15.

With two regular-season matches remaining, Stan State is three points ahead of eighth-place UC Merced and four ahead of ninth-place Cal Poly Humboldt. The Warriors host Humboldt Saturday at 4 p.m. on Senior Night before concluding the regular season Thursday, Oct. 29, at Fresno Pacific.

The top seven teams in the final regular-season standings qualify for the CCAA Tournament, with the top seed receiving a first-round bye and the higher seeds hosting quarterfinal matches Sunday, Nov. 1. The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, followed by the championship match Saturday, Nov. 7, at Kellogg Stadium in Pomona.

Up Next
Stan State returns to Warrior Stadium Saturday, Oct. 24, to host Cal Poly Humboldt at 4 p.m. on Senior Night. Prior to the match, the Warriors will recognize their eight seniors: Aliah Avila, Amanda Do, Francesca Hahn, Olivia Kamm, Zara Mujica, Alexi Ochoa, Kayla Perez and Mandy Thao. The Lumberjacks lost 1-0 at Cal State Monterey Bay earlier this evening.

Saturday's match will also mark the final visit to Turlock for Cal Poly Humboldt head coach Grant Landy, who is retiring at the conclusion of the season.

The match will be streamed live on FloCollege and broadcast on BlueChip Broadcasting, with Kyle Morrison calling the action from Warrior Stadium.
Stan State concludes the regular season Thursday, Oct. 29, with an 11 a.m. CCAA contest at Fresno Pacific's Ramirez Field in Fresno.