Warriors Close Regular Season at UC Merced, Eye Fourth Straight CCAA Tournament berth
TURLOCK, Calif. — The Stanislaus State women's soccer team will close the regular season on Thursday afternoon at UC Merced, looking to secure its fourth consecutive berth in the CCAA Tournament. The Warriors (9-4-4, 5-3-2 CCAA) enter the match on a three-game winning streak and currently sit fourth in the conference standings with 17 points. All CCAA regular-season finales will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Weekend Recap
The Warriors delivered a dominant performance on the final weekend of their home schedule, earning two decisive wins to stay firmly in the CCAA Tournament race. Stanislaus State opened the trip with a 5-0 victory at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday before blanking San Francisco State, 2-0, on Sunday in Turlock.
At Dominguez Hills, the Warriors wasted no time taking control. Aliah Avila converted a penalty kick in the seventh minute to open the scoring, then assisted on Grace Fabionar's goal late in the first half. Olivia Maragos found the net twice — once in each half — while Brynn Phillips added her first collegiate goal to cap the scoring in the 69th minute. Goalkeeper Zara Mujica and the Warrior defense kept the Toros in check, recording the team's fourth shutout of the season.
On Sunday, the Warriors carried that momentum home with a sharp 2-0 victory over San Francisco State on Senior Day. Avila again played a central role, scoring the opening goal in the first half off a feed from Kellyann Rodriguez, then assisting on Jocelin Roa's second-half goal, with Rodriguez also credited with an assist. Mujica posted her sixth solo shutout of the year as Stan State extended its winning streak to three matches.
Before kickoff, Stan State celebrated seniors Malia Allen, Reyna Dismukes, Shauna Johnston, Alexi Ochoa, Brynn Phillips, Kellyann Rodriguez, Katie Smith, Makeila Yancey, Zoie Willson, and Olivia Iturria for their dedication and contributions to the program.
Warriors Update
Stanislaus State enters the final week of the regular season at 9-4-4 overall and 5-3-2 in CCAA play, good for fourth place in the conference standings. The Warriors have not allowed a goal in their last 270 minutes, outscoring opponents 9-0 over the past three matches.
Goalkeeper Zara Mujica continues to anchor one of the conference's top defensive units, supported by a veteran back line featuring Makeila Yancey, Grace Fabionar, and Katie Smith. Together, the group has held opponents to just 14 goals in 17 matches.
Offensively, the Warriors are peaking at the right time. Olivia Maragos leads the team with six goals and one assist, while Aliah Avila has four goals, five assists, and four game-winning goals. Avila's four game-winners this fall give her 11 in her career, tying her for third all-time in program history. Jocelin Roa (3 goals, 2 assists) and Kellyann Rodriguez (5 assists) continue to drive the attack, giving Stan State multiple scoring threats heading into the postseason push.
CCAA Statistical Rankings
In the CCAA statistical rankings, Avila is tied for first in assists and ranks tied for seventh in points. Maragos is tied for third in goals and tied for seventh in points, while Rodriguez is tied for first in assists and Haylee Sousa is tied for seventh. Mujica stands sixth in goals-against average, third in save percentage, fourth in shutouts, and fifth in saves per game — highlighting the Warriors' strength at both ends of the pitch.
With a win on Thursday, the Warriors would clinch their fourth straight CCAA Tournament berth — and potentially a home match in the opening round — heading into the postseason.
The First Meeting: Cowbell Cup Classic
When the teams met earlier this season in non-conference play on Sept. 28, Stanislaus State captured the Cowbell Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory before 511 fans at Warrior Stadium. The match was decided in the 90th minute on an own goal that gave the Warriors the win. Goalkeeper Zara Mujica recorded six saves for the shutout, while Haylee Sousa and Aliah Avila led the attack with multiple shots on goal. The result improved Stan State's record to 4-1-2 and gave the Warriors their fourth shutout of the season at that point.
Scouting UC Merced
UC Merced (6-7-4, 3-6-1 CCAA) has proven to be a tough defensive side in its first year as a CCAA member, conceding just 12 goals in 17 matches. Goalkeeper Alicia Lepe ranks among the league leaders with a .841 save percentage and nine shutouts. Forward Trinidad Quiroz leads the Bobcats with seven goals and four game-winners, accounting for more than half of the team's offense. The Bobcats are 2-3-2 at home this season and are coming off a narrow 1-0 loss at Cal State San Marcos.
CCAA Standings Snapshot
Heading into Thursday's matches, Chico State (22 points), Cal Poly Pomona (21), and Cal State San Bernardino (20) have clinched CCAA Tournament berths. Stanislaus State (17) and Cal Poly Humboldt (16) hold the fourth and fifth positions, while Cal State LA, Cal State San Marcos, and Cal State East Bay are tied at 14 points for the final postseason spot. A win or tie Thursday would lock up the Warriors' fourth straight trip to the postseason and could secure a home match in the first round.
Head Coach Gabriel Bolton
Head Coach Gabriel Bolton is in his 21st season leading the Warriors and holds a career record of 221-122-48. He has guided Stan State to winning seasons in all but one campaign. With a victory on Thursday, Bolton's Warriors would reach the 10-win mark for the 13th time during his tenure.
CCAA Tournament Information
The 2025 CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament field will be announced Thursday evening, following the conclusion of all regular-season matches. First-round contests are set for Sunday, Nov. 9, at campus sites of the higher seeds.
2025 CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament presented by FloCollege
at Cardinale Stadium, Cal State Monterey Bay, Seaside, Calif.
Sunday, Nov. 9 – First Round (at campus sites)
Match 1: #6 Seed at #3 Seed, 12 p.m. or 2 p.m.
Match 2: #5 Seed at #4 Seed, 12 p.m. or 2 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 – Semifinals
Match 3: #2 Seed vs. Winner Match 1, 4:30 p.m.
Match 4: #1 Seed vs. Winner Match 2, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 16 – Championship
Match 5: Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3 p.m.
Up Next
If the Warriors clinch a tournament berth, they would open postseason play Sunday, Nov. 9, in the CCAA Tournament first round.
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