ARCATA, Calif. —
Aliah Avila and
Olivia Maragos each found the back of the net while
Zara Mujica recorded seven saves as Stan State women's soccer blanked Central Washington 2-0 Saturday afternoon at the Humboldt Kickoff Classic at College Creek Field. Avila scored what proved to be the game-winner late in the first half before Maragos added an insurance goal in the closing minutes as the Warriors improved to 1-1 on the season. The victory was the first career win for
Adam James as a collegiate head coach. Central Washington falls to 0-2.
First Half
Stan State created an early opportunity when
Loreno Moreno put a shot on goal in the seventh minute, while Avila forced Central Washington goalkeeper Danika Galbraith into another save in the 15th.
Central Washington generated several chances of its own midway through the half, but Mujica kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard. The senior goalkeeper made saves in the 28th, 31st and 33rd minutes to keep the match scoreless.
The Warriors broke through at the 38:10 mark.
Hibah Elbeshity set up Avila, who scored her first goal of the season to give Stan State a 1-0 advantage. The goal was the 18th of Avila's career and her 12th career game-winner.
Mujica made another save in the 44th minute as Stan State took its 1-0 lead into halftime.
Second Half
Central Washington pushed for the equalizer after halftime, but the Stan State defense continued to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard. Mujica made back-to-back saves on Haley Engstrom and Jaylee Reynolds in the 72nd and 73rd minutes to preserve the one-goal advantage.
The Warriors nearly doubled their lead in the 82nd minute when Maragos' attempt hit the crossbar. Central Washington came back with another opportunity in the 84th minute, but Mujica stopped Mary-Jo Landon for her seventh save of the afternoon.
Stan State put the match away at the 85:27 mark.
Mandy Thao and
Loreno Moreno combined to set up Maragos, who finished for her first goal of the season and a 2-0 Warrior advantage. The assists were the first for both Thao and Moreno in a Stan State uniform.
The Warriors saw out the remaining minutes to secure their first victory and first shutout of the 2026 season.
Stan State Notables
•
Aliah Avila scored her 18th career goal and 12th career game-winner, moving into a tie for fifth in career goals and a tie for second in game-winning goals while increasing her career total to 54 points, tied for sixth in Stan State history.
•
Olivia Maragos scored her first goal of the season.
•
Hibah Elbeshity recorded her first career assist on Avila's game-winning goal.
•
Mandy Thao and
Loreno Moreno each recorded their first assists as Warriors on Maragos' goal.
•
Zara Mujica recorded seven saves for her first shutout of the season and eighth of her career. She now ranks eighth in Stan State history with eight career shutouts and 10th with 76 career saves.
• The victory was
Adam James' first career win as a collegiate head coach.
• Stan State improved to 7-1-1 all-time against Central Washington and has won five consecutive meetings in the series.
• Stan State and host Cal Poly Humboldt each finished the Humboldt Kickoff Classic with 1-1 records, while Concordia University Irvine went 2-0. CUI defeated Cal Poly Humboldt 3-2 earlier Saturday.
Up Next
Stan State travels to San Diego to face RV Point Loma on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 3:45 p.m. at PLNU Soccer Field. The Warriors then return to Turlock for their home opener against RV Dominican on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
