No. 2 Stanislaus State Opens 6-0 for First Time Since 2015, Records Fourth Straight Shutout
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The No. 2 Stanislaus State men's soccer team wrapped up non-conference play unbeaten with a 1-0 victory over Dominican on Saturday afternoon at Kennelly Field. The Warriors improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2015 while posting their fourth straight shutout.
First Half
The Warriors wasted little time imposing their attack, breaking through in the 16th minute. Gerardo Flores delivered the match-winner, slotting home a pass from Samuel Villanueva, who tallied his nation-leading and CCAA-leading seventh assist in just five matches. Stan State was outshot 3-2 by Dominican (2-4) in the opening half but made their opportunity count, with Angel Ruiz-Hernandez keeping the Penguins off the board with three key saves.
Second Half
The Warriors seized control after the break, firing 12 shots while holding Dominican to just one attempt. Federico Barbieri, Adrian Yepez, and Alexis Cervantes all threatened to double the lead, with Barbieri forcing a save and Brenes striking the woodwork. Ruiz-Hernandez needed only one stop in the second frame to secure his fourth clean sheet of the year, thanks to a disciplined defensive effort from the back line of Samuel Villanueva, Federico Barbieri, Ian Reis, and David Lozano. Dominican's keeper Colin Nestor did his part with three saves in the half, but Stanislaus' relentless possession and nine total corner kicks kept the Warriors in command until the final whistle. The win closes out a perfect non-conference slate for Stanislaus State, giving the Warriors their best start in a decade as they turn toward the grind of conference play.
Warrior Notables
- No. 2 Stanislaus State is 6-0 for the first time since 2015.
- The Warriors have posted four consecutive shutouts.
- Goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season with four saves.
- Samuel Villanueva picked up his nation-leading and CCAA-leading seventh assist in just five matches.
- Gerardo Flores scored his fourth goal of the season, and his third game-winner.
- The Warriors outshot Dominican 14-4, including a 12-1 advantage in the second half.
- Stanislaus closed its non-conference schedule with a perfect 6-0 record.
- The Warriors went 4-0 against teams from the GNAC (Seattle Pacific 2-1, Western Washington 4-1, at Simon Fraser 3-0, at Saint Martin's 4-0)
- Stan State went 2-0 against teams from the PacWest (No. 19 Menlo, 1-0, at Dominican 1-0)
Up Next
Stanislaus State will be off until Friday, Oct. 3, when the nationally ranked Warriors begin CCAA play. They will host Cal State East Bay at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 and No. 5 Cal State Los Angeles at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5.
Latest Athletics News
- Back-to-Back Shutouts Earn Stanislaus State’s Angel Ruiz-Hernandez FloCollege/CCAA Defensive Player of the Week HonorsSenior goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez has been named the FloCollege/California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for September 15–21 after recording back-to-back shutouts. The honor marks the second consecutive week a Stanislaus State Warrior has received the conference's defensive award, as the No. 2-ranked Warriors remain undefeated at 6-0 and stand among just six unbeaten teams in NCAA Division II.
- Stan State Holds No. 2 National Ranking, No. 1 in West Region for Second Straight WeekThe Stan State men's soccer team maintained its place among the nation's best, holding the No. 2 spot in the United Soccer Coaches/NCAA Division II Top 25 for the second straight week. The Warriors are ranked nationally for the third consecutive week and remain No. 1 in the West Region for the second week in a row. Lynn is No. 1 nationally, followed by Stan State at No. 2. Off to a 6-0 start, Stan State is one of just six undefeated programs in Division II and the only team in the nation with at least six victories.
- Stan State Concludes Four-Game Homestand Versus Chico State and Cal Poly HumboldtStan State's volleyball team continues its homestand with two matches this week. The Warriors host Chico State (4-5, 0-2 CCAA) on September 26 and Cal Poly Humboldt (0-10, 0-2 CCAA) on September 27.
- Warriors Set for Westmont and Cowbell Cup Showdown with UC MercedStanislaus State women's soccer (2-1-2) is set for a two-match week, traveling to Santa Barbara to face Westmont this Thursday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. The Warriors will return home this Sunday, Sept. 28 for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference match with UC Merced. This will be the Annual Cowbell Cup Match.
- This Week in Warrior SportsThis Week in Warrior Sports September 22-28, 2025VOLLEYBALL CONTINUES HOMESTAND / WOMEN'S SOCCER RETURNS HOME SEPT. 28 Stan State's volleyball team will continue its four-match homestand this weekend with two CCAA matches, Sept. 26 and 27. The Warriors will host Chico State this Friday, Sept. 26, on Latinx Heritage Night. They will conclude their homestand against Cal Poly Humboldt the next evening (Sat., Sept. 27) on Alumni Night. Both matches will take place at 5:00 p.m. After traveling to Westmont this Thursday afternoon, Stan State's women's soccer team will host UC Merced in its final non-conference match, the Annual Cowbell Match, Sunday, Sept. 28, at 6:00 p.m.
- Warrior Basketball Tip-Off Dinner Set for Nov. 5 at Dust Bowl Brewing CompanyStan State Men's and Women's Basketball will host their Tip-Off Dinner on Tuesday, November 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dust Bowl Brewing Company in Turlock, Calif.
