SEATTLE, Wash.--- No. 5 Stan State opened its 2026 season Thursday evening in an early-season matchup of nationally ranked West Region teams, with No. 25 Seattle Pacific earning a 3-1 victory over the Warriors at Interbay Stadium.
Alexis Cervantes scored the first goal of the season for Stan State (0-1-0), tying the match at 1-1 in the 34th minute. The Warriors finished with a 14-13 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in corner kicks, while Seattle Pacific (1-0-0) scored twice in the second half to secure the victory.
FIRST HALF
Stan State created a pair of opportunities during the opening eight minutes, with
Gerardo Flores taking the Warriors' first shot just 1:02 into the match before
Emmanuel Duran followed with an attempt in the eighth minute. Seattle Pacific took the lead at the 23:22 mark when JP Guzman scored off an assist from JJ Diaz to give the Falcons a 1-0 advantage.
The Warriors nearly answered immediately.
Adrian Yepez put an attempt on frame less than a minute later, forcing Seattle Pacific goalkeeper Willem Ficek to make his first save of the evening.
Stan State found the equalizer in the 34th minute. Cervantes, who entered the match in the 27th minute, found the back of the net at the 33:17 mark to pull the Warriors even at 1-1. Cervantes nearly struck again late in the half. His attempt in the 41st minute hit the crossbar as the Warriors came within inches of taking their first lead. Stan State goalkeeper
Dylan Isasi made two first-half saves, including one on JJ Diaz in the 32nd minute and another on Harper Sabari in the 44th minute.
The Warriors finished the opening 45 minutes with an 8-7 advantage in shots as the teams went into halftime tied at 1-1.
SECOND HALF
Seattle Pacific regained the lead just 19 seconds after the second-half kickoff. Judah Straight scored at the 45:19 mark off an assist from Isaac Ketcham to give the Falcons a 2-1 advantage.
Stan State continued to create opportunities as it looked for its second equalizer of the evening. Duran had attempts in the 59th and 67th minutes before
Luis Saldana forced Ficek into a save in the 70th minute. The Warriors also generated three corner kicks during the second half while holding Seattle Pacific without a corner over the final 45 minutes.
Stan State remained within a goal until the closing minutes. Seattle Pacific extended its advantage at the 87:55 mark when Rafael Lucio scored to make it 3-1.
Cervantes created one final opportunity for the Warriors in the 89th minute, putting a shot on frame that was stopped by Ficek. Stan State finished the match with a 14-13 advantage in shots, including eight attempts in the first half.
The Warriors also held a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. Seattle Pacific finished with five shots on goal to Stan State's four.
WARRIOR NOTABLES
- Alexis Cervantes scored Stan State's first goal of the 2026 season and the sixth goal of his Warrior career. Two of his six career goals have come against Seattle Pacific, with Cervantes scoring against the Falcons in each of the past two season openers.
- Stan State outshot Seattle Pacific 14-13 and held an 8-7 advantage in shots during the first half.
- The Warriors held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks, including a 3-0 edge in the second half.
- Stan State is now 1-1-1 in the all-time series against Seattle Pacific.
- Thursday marked the first road match for the Warriors in the all-time series with the Falcons.
UP NEXT
Stan State concludes its season-opening Pacific Northwest road trip on Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Warriors travel to Bellingham to face Western Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Harrington Field.
Western Washington (1-0-0) opened its season Thursday evening with a 3-2 victory over Chico State in Bellingham. The Warriors and Vikings enter Saturday's meeting tied 2-2-1 in the all-time series. Stan State defeated Western Washington 4-1 last season in Turlock.
Emmanuel Duran scored twice in a span of 55 seconds to help put the match away, while
Kenneth Solares also found the back of the net.
Adrian Yepez and
Gerardo Flores each recorded an assist in the victory.
Saturday will mark the first meeting between the programs in Bellingham since Stan State earned a 3-0 victory there in 2006.
