Box Score
Box score

HAYWARD, Calif. - Following a setback in their opener, the Pioneer women's soccer team knew a non-conference victory prior to CCAA play would be important. The Pioneers responded with a 2-0 win over visiting Dominican University on Sept. 3.

“This was a very important win going into our CCAA opener,” Pioneer Coach Amy Gerace said. “It was nice for our team to see success and collaborate as a unit.”

Dominican got off the first scoring opportunity in the 4th minute as Alex Moran's header went high.

Nine minutes later, the Pioneers made the most of their first scoring chance when Eugenie Foote tapped in a missed shot past Penguin goalkeeper Megan Herring. For Foote, it was her first goal of the season. Shianna Falk and Claudia Luna assisted Foote's goal.

Pioneer goalkeeper Nina Cefalo turned away a shot by the Penguins' Tori Selesia in the 23rd minute.

Cal State East Bay had two scoring chances in the next 17 minutes of the first half. Ariana Nobrega's shot on goal was knocked away at the last minute by Herring. Kelley Brown received a great pass in front of the net, but was unable to get off a shot.

Both the Pioneers and Penguins had three shots, including two on goal in the first half.

The Pioneers wasted no time increasing their lead in the second half. Nobrega took a pass from Foote and scored her first goal of the season in the 46th minute.

The next 17 minutes Cal State East Bay controlled the tempo of the game.

Dominican broke up the Pioneers tempo and created some scoring opportunities.

In the 70th minute the Penguins' Kaitlynn Baptista had a great chance to score but Cefalo came out of the goal to knock her shot away.

The Penguins had two corner kicks and a throw in a five minute span. Moran's second header of the game went wide in the 82nd minute.

Dominican had two shots in the final six minutes, but Cefalo and an outstanding Pioneer defense kept the Penguins from scoring.

“As a team, we finished opportunities and kept our level of play,” Gerace said. “We focused on the things we wanted to accomplish.”

For the game, Cal State East Bay outshot Dominican by a 7-4 margin. The Pioneers had four shots on goal including two by four-year senior Nobrega. Breanna Baker, another four-year senior for the Pioneers, anchored a potent defense.

“Ariana and Brea have developed into two really good players,” Gerace said. “I'm proud of both of them.”

Cefalo had two saves to record the shutout. Herring also had two saves.

The Pioneers, with a 1-1 record, will open CCAA play with a home game against Cal Poly Pomona on Sept. 9. The match will begin at 4:30 p.m.