LOS ANGELES--- Stan State women's soccer scored twice in the second half and held off a late charge from No. 14 Cal State Los Angeles for a 2-1 CCAA road victory Friday evening at University Stadium.
Olivia Maragos broke the scoreless tie in the 56th minute before
Aliah Avila scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 69th.
Zara Mujica made six saves as the Warriors improved to 4-1-2 overall and 3-0 in CCAA play while extending their unbeaten streak to six consecutive matches.
First Half
Cal State LA generated much of the attacking pressure during the opening 45 minutes, but Mujica and the Stan State defense kept the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard.
After Luna Chavez sent the first Cal State LA attempt wide in the 10th minute, Mujica made consecutive saves on Kristin Mijares and Briana Chagolla in the 13th minute. The Golden Eagles continued to apply pressure with five corner kicks during the half.
Mujica came up with another stop on Chagolla in the 31st minute. Celine Gehrig sent an attempt wide in the 37th as Stan State continued to keep the match scoreless.
Lorena Moreno recorded the Warriors' first shot in the 12th minute, while
Hibah Elbeshity added an attempt in the 41st. Cal State LA finished the half with a 6-2 advantage in shots and a 5-0 edge in corner kicks, but Mujica's three saves sent the teams into halftime tied 0-0.
Second Half
Stan State broke through at the 56:00 mark.
Mandy Thao set up Maragos, who finished for her team-leading fourth goal of the season to put the Warriors in front 1-0.
The Warriors added to their lead at the 68:51 mark. Avila found the back of the net for an unassisted goal, giving Stan State a 2-0 advantage. It was Avila's third goal of the season and 20th of her career.
Cal State LA continued to push forward, but Mujica made a save on Chavez in the 74th minute before stopping consecutive attempts by Chavez in the 84th.
The Golden Eagles finally broke through at the 83:40 mark when Gehrig scored her third goal of the season to cut Stan State's lead to 2-1.
Stan State protected its one-goal advantage over the closing minutes.
Kyndra Obermeyer had a shot blocked in the 88th minute before the Warrior defense blocked Cal State LA's final attempt with just over a minute remaining to secure the road victory.
Cal State LA finished with a 14-6 advantage in shots, a 7-2 edge in shots on goal and a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks. Stan State made its opportunities count, scoring on both of its shots on goal. Mujica finished with six saves to earn her fourth victory of the season.
Stan State Notables
- Aliah Avila scored the game-winning goal in Stan State's 2-1 victory over No. 14 Cal State Los Angeles. It was her third goal of the season and 20th of her career, moving her into a tie with Erin Taylor (2002-05) for fifth in program history. Avila now ranks fifth by herself with 60 career points and fifth with 19 career assists. Her game-winner was the 13th of her career, moving her into sole possession of second place in program history, one ahead of Jade Poon's 12.
- Olivia Maragos scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 56th minute. Maragos has scored three goals over Stan State's last two matches after recording the second brace of her career in the Warriors' 3-0 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills.
- Mandy Thao recorded the assist on Maragos' opening goal.
- Zara Mujica made six saves to earn her fourth victory of the season. The six saves increased her career total to 103, moving her past Amanda Leal and into sole possession of ninth place on Stan State's career saves list. Mujica also ranks eighth in program history with nine career shutouts.
- Stan State extended its unbeaten streak to six matches. The Warriors are 4-0-2 since their season-opening loss, with victories over Central Washington, Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State Dominguez Hills and No. 14 Cal State Los Angeles and draws against Point Loma and Dominican.
- The Warriors have outscored their opponents 10-3 during their six-match unbeaten streak.
- Stan State improved to 4-1-2 overall and 3-0 in CCAA play.
- The Warriors have won each of their first three CCAA matches, defeating Cal State Monterey Bay 2-1, Cal State Dominguez Hills 3-0 and No. 14 Cal State Los Angeles 2-1.
- Stan State earned its second consecutive victory over Cal State LA after defeating the Golden Eagles 1-0 at Warrior Stadium last season.
- The Warriors improved to 16-14-5 in the all-time series against Cal State LA.
Up Next
Stan State concludes its Southern California road trip on Sunday, Sept. 27, when the Warriors face Cal State San Marcos at 11 a.m. at The Cage. Cal State San Marcos enters Sunday's match after defeating Cal State Monterey Bay 2-0 on Friday in San Marcos.
The Warriors return home on Friday, Oct. 2, when they host Cal State San Bernardino at 7 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
