TURLOCK, Calif.--- Alexis Cervantes scored twice and
Gerardo Flores converted a late penalty kick as No. 5 Stan State scored three times in the second half to defeat Saint Martin's 3-1 in its 2026 home opener Thursday evening at Warrior Stadium.
After the teams played a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Cervantes broke through in the 63rd minute off an assist from
Christian Brenes. Saint Martin's equalized less than 10 minutes later, but Flores put the Warriors back in front on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. Cervantes added his second goal of the evening in the final minute off an assist from
Jose Ponce to secure Stan State's first victory of the season.
Stan State improves to 1-2, while Saint Martin's falls to 2-1.
FIRST HALF
Cervantes immediately put pressure on the Saint Martin's defense, forcing goalkeeper Connor Leistiko to make three saves during the opening six minutes. The Warrior forward nearly put Stan State in front in the eighth minute, but his attempt hit the right post.
Stan State continued to control the opportunities during the opening half. Flores had an attempt in the 13th minute before
Sergio Garcia and
Eric Reis each recorded shots later in the period.
Emmanuel Duran added an attempt in the final two minutes.
The Warriors held an 8-2 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in corner kicks during the first half, but the match remained scoreless at halftime.
SECOND HALF
Saint Martin's created the first opportunity of the second half when Brandon Durr put a shot on goal in the 47th minute, with
Dylan Isasi making the save.
Stan State responded with several opportunities of its own.
Cameron Belandres put an attempt on frame in the 56th minute before Cervantes forced Leistiko into another save in the 59th. Cervantes finally broke the scoreless tie at the 62:25 mark. Brenes set up Cervantes for his second goal of the season and seventh of his Warrior career, giving Stan State a 1-0 advantage.
Saint Martin's answered at the 72:13 mark when Xander Koenig scored to tie the match at 1-1.
The Warriors regained the lead in the 82nd minute. After a Saint Martin's foul, Flores converted the ensuing penalty kick to give Stan State a 2-1 advantage. The goal was Flores' first of the season, the 10th of his Warrior career and his sixth career game-winner.
Stan State put the match away at the 89:36 mark. Ponce set up Cervantes for his second goal of the evening, giving the Warriors a 3-1 lead.
The Warriors finished with a 16-10 advantage in shots and an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. Saint Martin's held a 7-6 edge in corner kicks.
WARRIOR NOTABLES
- Alexis Cervantes recorded the first two-goal match of his Warrior career and now has three goals this season. He finished the evening with a match-high eight shots, including six on goal.
- Cervantes now has eight goals in his Warrior career.
- Gerardo Flores scored his first goal of the season and the 10th of his Warrior career. His penalty kick was his sixth career game-winning goal. Flores is now one goal shy of the Stan State career top 10.
- Christian Brenes recorded his first assist of the season on Cervantes' first goal.
- Jose Ponce recorded his first assist of the season on Cervantes' second goal.
- Dylan Isasi recorded one save while playing all 90 minutes in goal.
- Stan State outshot Saint Martin's 16-10, including 8-2 in the first half.
- The Warriors put eight of their 16 shots on goal.
- Stan State improves to 5-1 in the all-time series against Saint Martin's.
- The victory was Stan State's first of the season and came in the Warriors' 2026 home opener.
UP NEXT
Stan State continues its six-match home stand Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Warriors host Simon Fraser at Warrior Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Simon Fraser improved to 1-1 with a 2-1 victory at Chico State Thursday evening. Saturday's match will be the first meeting between Stan State and Simon Fraser in Turlock.
