In recent history, the California State University, Stanislaus women’s soccer team won the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship two times over the past three years and it looks like they are headed for a third after starting their 2014 season undefeated through nine regular season games.
Last year, the Warriors finished the season with 18 wins, one loss and two draws. The one loss came in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament against California State University, San Bernardino.
However, a major contribution to last year’s success came from senior Karenee Demery, who scored 21 goals in the season and set a new record for CSU Stanislaus. Fans were skeptical that the Warriors could come back and be as successful as they were last year after Demery moved on.
To prove to everyone that the entire team could handle the pressure, not just Demery, the women’s team rebounded with a 9-0 start to the 2014 season.
In fact, several websites have ranked the Warriors Women’s Soccer team nationally for Division II athletics. Top Drawer Soccer ranked Stanislaus at  No. 1 for freshman Jade Poon’s nine goals in six games and for having Karli Nestler as a creator for goal making plays. Bennett Rankings also had Stanislaus as the top position in the nation for women’s soccer. Finally, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America included Stanislaus as the third ranking team in the Tire Division II Poll.
“It’s been great,” Coach Gabriel Bolton said. “I mean having that level of success, especially in our conference which is probably the top Division II conference in the country, has really been phenomenal.”
In addition to their success, CSU Stanislaus was announced as the host for the CCAA Championship tournament from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9. Although the Warriors have hosted the CCAA tournament five times in the six years since Warrior Stadium was rebuilt, this will the second consecutive host year for Stanislaus.
“It’s been very exciting to put some banners up on the wall,” Bolton said, “And bring those championships home to Turlock and Cal State Stanislaus.”