Warriors Dominate Saints in Regular Season Home Opener
TURLOCK, Calif. — Stanislaus State opened the 2025-26 women's soccer season in strong fashion with a 1-0 shutout victory over Saint Martin's in the home opener at Warrior Stadium on Thursday night.Grace Fabionar netted the match-winner in the 55th minute — her first career collegiate goal — off a double assist from Kellyann Rodriguez and Aliah Avila. The Warriors dominated the match with 62% of possession, a 21-4 shot advantage, and limited the Saints to just three shots on goal. Zara Mujica, making her Stan State debut, recorded three saves to earn her first clean sheet as a Warrior.
FIRST HALF
Stanislaus State (1-0) came out aggressive, nearly opening the scoring just three minutes in on a shot from Jocelin Roa that missed wide right. In the 12th minute, Roa and Kayla Perez each saw their efforts denied by Saints keeper Mallory Patzer.
Midway through the half, returning All-American Aliah Avila was denied her first goal of the season by another Patzer save. Despite sustained pressure and a 10-1 shot advantage, the Warriors and Saints entered halftime scoreless.
SECOND HALF
The Warriors kept the intensity high as Haylee Souza fired two quick chances just over and wide of goal early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Avila was once again denied by Patzer — but just 20 seconds later, Stan State broke through.
Fabionar converted on a well-worked combination play from Rodriguez and Avila to put the Warriors up 1-0. Saint Martin's (0-1) threatened to equalize six minutes later, but Mallory Morris sent her attempt high.
In the 67th minute, Mujica made back-to-back saves on shots from Eve Charles and Angely Puga to preserve the shutout. Souza nearly doubled the lead in the closing moments, but Patzer again kept the Saints within one.
WARRIOR NOTABLES
Freshman Grace Fabionar made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, scoring her first career goal in the 55th minute. The goal also stood as the game-winner — the first of her Warrior career.
Zara Mujica, a transfer making her Stan State debut, earned her first shutout as a Warrior. She tallied three saves in goal and played a key role in securing the clean sheet.
The Warriors dominated the stat sheet, outshooting Saint Martin's 21-4 overall and 10-1 in the first half, while holding a 6-3 edge in shots on goal.
UP NEXT
The Warriors continue their four-match homestand this Sunday, September 7 at 12:30 p.m., hosting Simon Fraser at Warrior Stadium. The Red Leafs will face UC Merced Friday night in Merced, Calif., before heading to Turlock.
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