TURLOCK, Calif.--- Franchesca Maiden scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the 70th minute to lift Stan State women's soccer to a 2-1 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay in its CCAA opener Friday afternoon at Warrior Stadium.
Hibah Elbeshity also scored the first goal of her collegiate career, while
Aliah Avila assisted on Maiden's game-winner and
Zara Mujica made eight saves as the Warriors improved to 2-1-2 overall and 1-0 in the CCAA. Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 2-1-2 and 0-1 in conference play.
First Half
Stan State created several early opportunities, with
Alexi Ochoa forcing saves from Cal State Monterey Bay goalkeeper Willow Baltazar in the sixth and 17th minutes. Avila put an attempt on goal in the 20th minute as the Warriors pressured the Otters throughout the opening half.
The Warriors broke through in the 36th minute. Elbeshity found the back of the net at the 35:06 mark for the first goal of her collegiate career, giving Stan State a 1-0 advantage.
Olivia Maragos and Elbeshity each put another shot on goal before halftime, but Baltazar made both saves as the Warriors carried the one-goal lead into the break.
Stan State outshot Cal State Monterey Bay 9-6 in the first half and held a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Second Half
Cal State Monterey Bay increased its pressure after halftime, but Mujica made three saves over the opening eight minutes of the period. The Otters eventually equalized at the 54:02 mark when Miye Kodama converted a penalty kick for her fourth goal of the season.
Stan State continued to create opportunities after the equalizer. Ochoa and Maragos each forced saves from Baltazar before the Warriors regained the lead in the 70th minute.
Avila set up Maiden, who scored the first goal of her collegiate career at the 69:54 mark to put Stan State back in front 2-1. The assist was Avila's second of the season and 18th of her career.
Mujica and the Stan State defense made the lead stand. The senior goalkeeper made four more saves over the final 21 minutes, including stops in the 75th, 77th and 85th minutes, as the Warriors secured their first CCAA victory of the season.
Stan State finished with a 22-15 advantage in shots and a 14-9 edge in shots on goal. Maragos led the Warriors with seven shots, including three on goal, while Avila and Ochoa each recorded four attempts. Ochoa put all four of her shots on goal. Baltazar finished with 12 saves for the Otters.
Stan State Notables
- Franchesca Maiden scored the first goal of her collegiate career, which proved to be the game-winner.
- Hibah Elbeshity scored the first goal of her collegiate career to give Stan State a 1-0 lead in the first half.
- Aliah Avila recorded her second assist of the season and 18th of her career on Maiden's game-winning goal. She is now tied with Sabrina Williamson (2012-15) and Alexis Brewah (2022-23) for fifth in Stan State history with 18 career assists and tied with Marissa Dunaway (2008-11) for fifth with 57 career points. Avila also is tied for sixth with 19 career goals and tied for second with 12 career game-winning goals.
- Zara Mujica made eight saves and earned her second victory of the season.
- Mujica increased her career total to 93 saves and remains 10th in Stan State history.
- Stan State finished with season highs of 22 shots and 14 shots on goal.
- The Warriors improved to 2-0-2 over their last four matches.
- Stan State has allowed just two goals during its four-match unbeaten streak.
- The Warriors improved to 29-6-3 against Cal State Monterey Bay since 2000.
- Stan State improved to 32-13-8 at Warrior Stadium since the start of the 2021 season.
Up Next
Stan State will conclude its three-match home stand on Sunday, Sept. 20, when the Warriors host Cal State Dominguez Hills at 11 a.m. at Warrior Stadium. The Toros enter Sunday's match 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the CCAA after falling 3-0 at UC Merced on Friday evening.
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