Box Score Box score

HAYWARD, Calif. – A tremendous team performance by the Pioneer women's soccer team came up short in a 1-0 defeat to San Francisco State on Friday.

After losing by a combined score of 11-3 to Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego last week, the Pioneers gave the Gators all they could handle in the Battle of the Bay.

“This was one of our best team performances of the season,” Pioneer coach Amy Gerace said. “Following the two bad matches last week, we showed up to play. I wish the end result would have been better.”

The two teams played on even terms for the first 12 minutes.

The Gators' Nicole Vanni had a shot saved by Pioneer goalkeeper in the 15th minute.

Cal State East Bay got its first scoring opportunity in the 18th minute as Kara Yamamoto shot attempt was saved by Gators' goalkeeper Annicia Jones.

San Francisco State had a golden opportunity to score in the in the 20th minute, but a shot by Justine Hernandez hit the crossbar and an attempt by Kara Cunningham went just wide of the net.

The following five minutes, the Pioneers Claudia Luna and Shianna Falk each had a shot go wide.

Cal State East Bay continued to put the pressure on the Gators as a shot by Zuly Diaz was saved by Jones in the 35th minute.

A shot by Mari Mendizabal hit the post in the 37th minutes as the Gators missed another scoring chance.

Luna had a shot saved by Jones in the 43rd minute.

San Francisco State broke the scoreless tie in the 50th minute as Kaitlin Dick scored on a header off a corner kick. For Dick, it was her first goal of the season.

From that point, the Pioneers turned on the pressure. Diaz fired a rocket shot that was saved by Jones at the last moment in the 80th minute.

A minute later, Luna had her shot hit the post. Breanna Baker had her shot hit the post in the 82nd minute.

The Pioneers had two final scoring chances as Shannon Fontes had a shot saved by Jones in the 87th minute and an attempt by Falk blocked in the 88th minute.

“San Francisco State is a quality team,” Gerace said. “Their goalkeeper made some incredible saves.”

In the second half, the Pioneers out-shot the Gators 10-2 and for the game enjoyed a 15-11 margin. Luna had four shots followed by Diaz with three attempts.

Pioneer goalkeeper Nina Cefalo turned away four shots. Jones had eight saves for the Gators.

Baker had another outstanding match for the Pioneers.

“Bre is one of the best defenders in the CCAA,” Gerace said.  “She is so good on the ball and is a great organizer on the soccer field.”

The Pioneers, 2-6-1 in the CCAA and 3-7-1 overall, will host Cal State Monterey Bay on October 9 at 11:30 a.m.