LOS ANGELES---Stan State became the first team to score against No. 1 Cal State LA this season and took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but the Golden Eagles scored twice in the second half to rally for a 2-1 victory over the Warriors Friday afternoon at University Stadium.
Alexis Cervantes broke Cal State LA's season-long scoreless streak with his team-leading sixth goal in the 33rd minute, while
Dylan Isasi recorded a career-high 10 saves. The loss snapped Stan State's six-match unbeaten streak and moved the Warriors to 2-3-4 overall and 0-1-2 in CCAA play.
FIRST HALF
Cal State LA generated several early opportunities, but Isasi kept the nation's No. 1 team off the scoreboard. He made saves in the 10th, 16th and 20th minutes as the Golden Eagles applied pressure.
Stan State made its opportunity count. After
Adrian Yepez had a shot blocked in the 32nd minute, Cervantes gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead at the 32:38 mark.
Luis Saldana and
Christian Brenes assisted on Cervantes' team-leading sixth goal of the season. The goal was the first allowed by Cal State LA all season after the Golden Eagles opened the year with seven consecutive shutouts.
Cal State LA responded with another late push, but Isasi made three saves over the final five minutes, including two during the final two minutes. He finished the half with six saves as Stan State carried a 1-0 lead into the break despite Cal State LA holding a 10-2 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.
SECOND HALF
The Golden Eagles equalized shortly after halftime. Felix Alverdale scored at the 49:19 mark off assists from Sho Toda and Jose Lopez to make it 1-1.
Cal State LA took the lead in the 65th minute when Jeancarlo Alvarez scored at 64:18 off an assist from Alverdale. Stan State nearly responded immediately, as
Emmanuel Duran put an attempt on goal just 12 seconds later, but Abraham Ramirez made the save.
The Warriors continued to battle for the equalizer and earned four of their six corner kicks in the second half, including one as time expired. Isasi kept Stan State within one with four second-half saves, including stops in the 84th and 87th minutes, but the Warriors could not find the tying goal as Cal State LA held on for the 2-1 victory.
WARRIOR NOTABLES
- Cervantes scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 33rd minute.
- Cervantes became the first player to score against Cal State LA this season. The Golden Eagles entered the match with seven consecutive shutouts and had not allowed a goal through their first 630 minutes.
- Saldana and Brenes each recorded an assist on Cervantes' goal.
- Isasi recorded a career-high 10 saves, including six in the first half.
- Stan State earned six corner kicks, including five in the second half.
- The loss snapped the Warriors' six-match unbeaten streak.
UP NEXT
Stan State concludes its two-match CCAA road trip Sunday, Sept. 27, when the Warriors face Cal State San Marcos at 2 p.m. at The Cage. The Cougars enter Sunday's match after defeating Cal State Monterey Bay 4-0 Friday afternoon in San Marcos.
The Warriors return home Friday, Oct. 2, when they host No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino at 4 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
