SAN MARCOS, Calif. — The California State University, Stanislaus Warriors men’s soccer team opened scoring early but fell 3-1 to the Cal State San Marcos Cougars Sunday afternoon at The Cage.
Emmanuel Duran gave Stan State an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the ninth minute. It was his second goal of the 2026 season and 12th of his career, tying him for eighth on the Stan State career goals list.
Cal State San Marcos responded with three consecutive goals. Cisco Avila tied the match in the 18th minute. Just seconds before halftime, Jacob Arellano scored the go-ahead goal for the Cougars.
In the second half, Andrew Valencia increased Cal State San Marcos’s advantage in the 67th minute with an assist from Kyle Sherman, making the score 3-1.
Stan State pushed for a comeback in the final minutes, including attempts by Colin Davis, Emmanuel Duran, and Alexis Cervantes, but could not close the deficit.
Cal State San Marcos outshot Stan State 11-8, with a 5-2 edge in shots on goal, and held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The loss dropped Stan State’s overall record to 2-4-4 and 0-2-2 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. Cal State San Marcos improved to 6-2-1 overall and 3-1 in conference competition.
Stan State will return home to Warrior Stadium on October 2 to face No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino at 4 p.m. The Warriors then travel to Cal State East Bay on October 4 for an 11:30 a.m. conference match.
CSB Take
Emmanuel Duran’s early goal gave the Stan State Warriors a strong start, showcasing his continued scoring prowess tied with a top 10 career milestone. However, the Cougars’ resilience and timely scoring, especially their late first-half goals, shifted momentum decisively. As the Warriors prepare for upcoming conference battles, capitalizing on early leads and tightening their finishing will be crucial for improving their record in the competitive CCAA.
Source: Original report
