Playing in overtime matches is nothing new to the Stanislaus State men’s soccer team. On Sunday, in front of many family, friends and University President Dr. Ellen Junn on Senior Day, the Warriors won in dramatic fashion in extra time over Cal State East Bay.
Senior Matthew Waldron converted on a penalty kick at 97:58 to cap off a day of celebrations with more cheers as the Warriors won 3-2 in another offensive shootout. Stan State improved to 6-4-5 overall and 3-3-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. These three points could become crucial as Stan State is now just a point behind sixth place teams Cal State L.A. and San Francisco State in the standings.
The Warriors have now played in eight overtime matches this season, including four of six home contests. Stan State has only loss once in these long matches as it improved to 2-1-5 on Sunday.
Cal State East Bay (3-11-2, 0-9-1 CCAA) gave it all it had in trying to spoil Senior Day celebrations for nine Warriors playing in their final home match. The Pioneers struck first with an early goal by TJ Butler less than four minutes into the contest.
That 1-0 score stood until the second half as the offensive intensity picked-up to much higher levels by both sides.
Stan State scored two unanswered goals — first by Khalil Kirksey on a text-book header bouncer into the net in the 50th minute. His score was beautifully set-up by a slotted pass by Ahmed Mohammed to Daniel Galvan, whose try was knocked away by CSUEB goalkeeper Omar Coronel.
Mohammed himself would score the then-go-ahead goal in the 58th minute from a Bradlee Taylor free kick.
However, the Pioneers answered right back. Jonathan Cuevas scored the equalizer in a minute and a half later and eventually set-up overtime.
With 2:02 left to play in the first overtime, Taylor sent a long service into the box towards Kirksey, but Kirksey was tackled by Bulter to give Stan State the penalty kick award. Waldron calmly booted it past Coronel for the thrilling finish.
In all, the Warriors offense dominated. They took 28 shots to CSUEB's 8 with 11 on frame. Two Pioneer goalkeepers collected a total of eight saves. Senior Patrick Colombana had two saves in net for the Warriors.
Stan State will wrap up its regular season next weekend with road games at Cal State L.A. on Thursday and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday as the Warriors play for a CCAA tournament berth.

Chambers lifts Warrior women to win over East Bay

Showing signs of a promising future of the program on Senior Day, the Stanislaus State women's soccer team scored four goals by non-seniors to blow out Cal State East Bay, 4-0, on Sunday.
The Warriors also continued their late-season run as they climb up the CCAA Standings with five straight conference wins. Stan State improved to 10-4-2 overall and 5-4-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Warriors are now tied for fifth place with 16 points, just a point behind third place teams Cal State L.A. and Cal Poly Pomona.
Stan State also completed the season unbeaten at home with a 7-0-2 mark at Warrior Stadium while posting its ninth straight 10-win season.
"What a great way to finish our home season.  Our team played with tremendous passion and energy. I know they were motivated to give our seniors a memorable match," head coach Gabriel Bolton said. "One of our greatest strengths this season has been our depth. That was very evident today."
After Cal State East Bay (4-11-1, 1-8-1 CCAA) nearly scored the game's first goal in the 11th minute — Haley Crook grabbed the Savannah Schultz shot just before the goal line — the Warriors took over.
Junior Mayah Chambers got the Warriors on the board in the 33rd minute for her first goal of the day from a pass by freshman Ilena Rivera.
After intermission, it was all Stan State in the second half. The Warriors out-shot the Pioneers 12-4 en route to the 17-10 shot-advantage.
Sophomores Rayana Plancarte and Selia Torres scored goals in the 54th and 58th minute to make it 3-0 before Chambers scored her second goal in the 86th minute to put the exclamation point on the match. Torres' goal was assisted by Rivera and senior Jade Poon. Chambers' second goal was assisted by freshmen Autumn Halvorsen and Jenna Zuniga.
Poon, one of five seniors recognized in the pregame ceremony, adds to her career assists total to 17, which is tied for sixth in the Stan State records. She's second in career goals (34), points (85) and game-winning goals (12). Clarissa Sandoval, Shawna McLaughlin, Mireya Magana, and Gabriela Vargas were the other seniors who played in their final home game.
"This senior class has been very special. They have given everything to this program," added Bolton.
The Warriors will take their hot streak on the road to finish off the regular season next weekend when they travel to take on Cal State L.A. on Thursday and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.