The Stanislaus Warriors suited up in their shin guards and cleats and went into battle for the CCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament Championship title. The Warriors faced off against the Cal State L.A. Eagles in the semi-finals.
The first half ended in 0-0 stalemate with the Warriors goalie Clint Long keeping the scoreboard clean while tallying four saves. By halftime the Warriors had taken six shots, and the Eagles had taken seven.
The second half ended as scoreless as the first half, 0-0 sending them into double overtime where once again Long kept the scoreboard clean despite 13 shot-attempts by the Eagles. The Warriors’ 11 shots also were in vain, which sent both teams into a shoot out of penalty kicks.
The Warriors came out on top, winning the penalty shootout 4-2. Carlos Gavino, Gerardo Cazares, Brady Taylor and Matthew Waldron, all making their penalty shots, while Long held the Eagles to just two makes in five attempts.
“It’s so much better to win at home,” Long said. “Having everyone scream your name is amazing.”
After the game Coach Taylor praised the determination of the goalie and midfielders. “The unsung heroes are the midfielders who worked so hard tonight,” Coach Dana Taylor said.
Two days later, the Warriors suited up again to take on the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos for the CCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament Championship. By the end of regulation play, the game was tied 1-1. Ramiro Ceja scored on a header assisted by Gavino.
Meanwhile, Long allowed one goal despite three impressive saves.  This game, like the first, went into double overtime where both teams remained scoreless. Long had another save in the extra periods, which sent the game into a penalty shootout.
Sadly, the Warriors could not pull out the win and fell short 0-3 in the penalty shootout.
“They saw us doing penalty kicks the night before,” Coach Taylor said. “We already had the pressure of penalty kicks, and their team already knew where we were going to go.”
The men’s soccer team had a great season, and we look forward to their return next year.