SEASIDE — The Stanislaus State men's soccer team is in the dance.
On Sunday afternoon at Cardinale Stadium, the Warriors capped off a historic weekend with its second CCAA Tournament championship in program history and first since 2012, defeating Cal State San Marcos 3-0 in the title game to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship. The victory also gives the Warriors their most wins in a single season in program history.
"I would be lying if I said I didn't have really high expectations at the start of the season," said head coach John Powell told the Journal on Monday. "This team was built to win a championship. We have a tremendous group of leaders, all the way from the seniors all the way down to some of the incoming guys like the freshmen... This being the best season in program history is an accomplishment, but we are chasing excellence. We're after the best versions of ourselves as individuals and as a team."
At a watch party at the University Student Center on Monday afternoon — a gathering that drew President Britt Rios-Ellis, Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak and other city and campus dignitaries — the Warriors learned that, for the first time in program history, it will host the opening rounds of the Division II tournament at Warrior Stadium. The Warriors were announced as the top seed in Super Region 4, earning a first-round bye and will open play in the second round against the winner of the Western Oregon and Hawai'i Hilo match. The second round match will take place Sunday at 3 p.m.
"We'll treat this week like every other week we've had since we got together in August," Powell said. "To be honest, we know that Western Oregon and Hilo are both really well coached and really good teams in the super region. Rather than focusing on something that we have no control over, we'll just get right back into what we do... We just think that if we can be at our best, we can beat anybody in the country, so we need to make sure that we are at our best. Our approach to this whole week will be about how we prepare, how we take advantage of the rest and get healthy and how to put our best foot forward on Sunday."
The Warriors, ranked No. 3 nationally in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, improved to 16-1-1 overall on Sunday while recording its 11th shutout of the season and second straight clean sheet of the tournament. Goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez, a 2021 graduate of Pitman High School, earned his 10th individual shutout of the year, setting a new single-season school record. It was also the 16th of his career, which ranks second all-time in program history.
"The funny thing is, I had no idea until after Friday's shutout that I broke the record," Ruiz-Hernandez said of his single-season mark. "It was never really an idea, and I didn't really play with the intentions of breaking the record. It was all about supporting my team, having their backs, just how they had mine."
The opening 45 minutes featured physical play and several early looks for both teams, but neither side found the net. Ruiz-Hernandez made three first-half saves to keep the match scoreless, while Landon Leal Ruiz struck the crossbar in the 23rd minute for Stan State's best early chance. The Warriors then erupted for three goals after the break to seize control of the championship. In the 58th minute, freshman Michael Daley opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal — and eventual game-winner — finishing a feed from Samuel Villanueva to make it 1-0. It was Villanueva’s 11th assist of the year — the most in a single season in program history—and tying him for the career assist record (15) at Stan State. Just six minutes later, Villanueva doubled the lead, converting from close range off an assist by Alexis Cervantes. Stan State sealed the title in the 81st minute when Daley assisted on a strike by Sebastian Carbajal, who buried his sixth goal of the season to make it 3-0.
The Warriors outshot the Cougars 23-13, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal.
After a first-round bye, the Warriors defeated Cal State East Bay, 2-0, in Friday’s semifinal. The Warriors scored once in each half and recorded their 10th shutout of the season.
Stan State struck first in the 32nd minute when Emmanuel Duran broke through with a composed finish inside the box after a setup from Adrian Yepez, giving the Warriors an early 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Duran's eighth of the season and third game-winner of the year. The Warriors added an insurance goal in the 72nd minute as Cervantes buried a one-time finish off a perfectly placed cross from Jose Tizoc to make it 2-0. From there, Stan State's defense stayed organized and disciplined, allowing just three second-half shots. Ruiz-Hernandez made four saves.
The Warriors dominated the 2025 CCAA Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team, claiming five of the 11 spots and both individual MVP awards. Local winners were Villanueva (Offensive MVP), Ian Reis, Stanislaus State (Defensive MVP), Cervantes, Duran and, of course, Ruiz-Hernandez, who Powell showered with praise following the selection show.
"His connection to the area and his family ties, it was important to (recruit him) and keep him close by, " Powell said. "I think he's the best goalkeeper in Division II in the country, so having him for us in every single game, I know we have a chance to win."
"It makes you feel great, man," Ruiz-Hernandez said of his coach's comments. "Having my coach to back me up, telling me I'm on of the best players in the country, what more can someone want? Same thing with my team. I honestly couldn't do any of this without without them. My back line strikers, all of them. They did it all. For me, there's some games where I honestly didn't have to make a save. I'm grateful for this team I have, and I can't wait to keep it all going."
Stan State Women’s Soccer Eliminated in Semifinal
The Stanislaus State women's soccer team's bid for a CCAA Tournament title came up just short Friday evening, as the No. 3 Warriors fell to No. 2 Chico State, 2-1, in double overtime of the CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament semifinals at Cardinale Stadium.
The Waariors reached the CCAA semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons, and dropped to 11-5-4 overall.
The Warriors and Wildcats played a tense, defensive first half as both teams struggled to find chances in the attacking third. Zara Mujica made a key save on a shot from Baylee Gregerson in the ninth minute to keep the match level, while Stan State's best look came from Jocelin Roa in the 44th minute, whose shot sailed just over the crossbar. The teams went into halftime scoreless, with Chico holding a 7–3 edge in shots. The Warriors broke through early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Aliah Avila was taken down in the box and converted the ensuing penalty kick to give Stanislaus State a 1-0 lead — her fourth goal of the season and third career PK goal. Chico State pressed forward and equalized in the 82nd minute when Makayla Cruz-Martinez finished from close range after a deflection in the box, tying the match at 1-1.
Neither team could find the winner in the first overtime period despite strong defensive efforts from both sides. Mujica came up with another big save in the 91st minute on a low shot from Justyce Amey to keep the score tied. In the 108th minute of double overtime, Chico broke through when Cruz-Martinez netted her second goal of the match, assisted by Jiana Martin, to seal the 2-1 victory.
The Warriors advanced to the semifinals after holding off Cal State East Bay for a 3-2 victory in the first round on Nov. 9. The Warriors extended their winning streak to five matches and advanced to the CCAA semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
In the sixth minute, Shauna Johnston opened the scoring by finishing a cross from Haylee Sousa to give the home side an early 1-0 lead. The Warriors doubled the advantage in the 31st minute when Roa buried a penalty kick — her fourth goal of the season and second successful penalty in as many attempts — to make it 2-0. Stan State controlled much of the first half, outshooting East Bay 6–3 and earning a 2-1 edge in corner kicks while Mujica made one save to preserve the two-goal lead heading into halftime.
Cal State East Bay cut the deficit in the 62nd minute when Kella Folkerts converted off a rebound after a saved penalty kick, but the Warriors quickly answered. In the 74th minute, Kellyann Rodriguez scored her third goal of the season— her second game-winner — assisted by Avila, who notched her team-leading seventh assist of the year. East Bay pulled one back in the 83rd minute through Rachel Mull, assisted by Mika Sayfurahman, but the Warrior defense held firm in the closing minutes to secure the 3-2 victory.
Avila was named to the All-Tournament Team, marking her second consecutive selection to the postseason honor squad. This year's honor caps another strong season for Avila, who also earned All-CCAA First Team recognition for the second consecutive year. She led Stanislaus State with 17 total points this year.
Stan State Volleyball Stuns No. 21 Cal Poly Pomona in Five-Set Road Victory
Stanislaus State volleyball closed out the regular season in dramatic fashion Saturday afternoon, rallying from two sets down to upset No. 21 Cal Poly Pomona (19-6, 17-1 CCAA), 13-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-7, inside Kellogg Arena.
The Warriors (13-12, 11-7 CCAA) capped their season with back-to-back reverse sweeps and secured back-to-back double-digit CCAA win seasons for the first time since 2015-16. The victory snapped Cal Poly Pomona's 17-match winning streak and marked Stan State's first win over the Broncos in nine meetings, ending a series skid that dated back to 2018.
Facing elimination for the second straight night, the Warriors came alive in the third set. Emily Meyer and Malia Tanksley combined for eight kills, and senior setter Shaelyn Pruiett spread the offense efficiently as Stan State hit .233 while holding Pomona to .091. The Warriors closed the set 25-21 on a Christallynn Tate kill to cut the deficit in half. Stan State carried the momentum into the fourth. Reagan Wilkerson served a pair of early aces and Meyer continued to dominate at the net with four kills and two blocks. Teagan Irish added an ace and Tanksley put down the final point as the Warriors evened the match with a 25-18 victory. The Warriors' confidence showed early in the decisive frame, jumping ahead 5-2 and never looking back. Irish and Tanksley teamed up for key blocks, Meyer added two more kills, and Pruiett ran a balanced offense that hit .500 in the fifth. Stan State closed the match on a 5-0 run to complete the comeback 15-7 and hand Pomona its first conference loss of the season.
Meyer finished with 14 kills and hit .400 to lead the offense, while Tanksley added 12 kills and six blocks. Hoffman hit .444 with eight kills and six blocks, and Irish contributed four kills, four blocks, and two aces. Pruiett recorded a career-high 40 assists along with nine digs, while Leah Mendoza anchored the defense with 19 digs.
The win was Stan State's first over a nationally ranked opponent this season. The Warriors defeated three nationally ranked teams last year, including No. 20 San Francisco State in the 2024 CCAA Tournament semifinals.
Stan State will host the CCAA Volleyball Tournament presented by Under Armour on Nov. 20-22 at Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena for the first time since 2017. The Warriors will open quarterfinal play Thursday against San Francisco State. The tournament champion will earn the CCAA's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Championship.
Annie Wild Earns Second Straight All-West Region Honor
Stanislaus State junior Annie Wild earned her second consecutive USTFCCCA All-West Region honor after placing seventh overall at the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships on Saturday morning at Ash Creek Preserve in Monmouth, Ore. The No. 10 Warriors finished fifth as a team with 182 points in a deep, nationally stacked 28-team field that included No. 9 Chico State, Cal Poly Pomona, No. 20 Western Washington and No. 13 Biola.
Wild clocked 20:44.2 over the 6K course to finish seventh overall, earning All-West Region honors for the second straight season. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) awards All-Region status to the top 25 individual finishers at each of the eight NCAA Division II regional meets. Her performance capped another stellar campaign for the Turlock native, who has consistently led the Warriors throughout the fall and helped Stan State maintain its position among the nation's top programs.
The Warriors carried strong postseason momentum from the CCAA Championships in Chico on Oct. 26, where they finished second overall behind No. 9 Chico State. Wild led the way with a third-place finish (21:01.8) to earn All-CCAA honors, while four more Warriors joined her on the All-Conference list - Izzy Soto (7th, 22:05.7), Jacqueline Sanchez-Silva(8th, 22:06.3), Nina Furtado (10th, 22:10.9) and Bela Moreno (12th, 22:12.3), giving Stan State five All-CCAA runners in the top 12.
Behind Wild at the West Regional, Sanchez-Silva placed 30th (21:21.0), followed by Moreno (33rd, 21:22.5), Stevie Holguin (53rd, 21:44.7), and Furtado (61st, 21:49.6) to complete the team's scoring five. Crystal Hernandez (68th, 21:53.4) and freshman Soto (94th, 22:22.8) rounded out the lineup.
Stanislaus State received its second consecutive at-large berth to the NCAA Championships and will make its fourth trip to the national meet in the last five seasons. This year's NCAA Division II National Championships are set for Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wis.
- Stanislaus State Athletics contributed to this report.
