Box Score CHICO, Calif. - Rey Suarez knocked in a shot from 20 yards out with one second remaining in regulation to give the Pioneer men's soccer team a 1-1 tie with Chico State on Sept. 16.  Suarez scored his first goal of the season off a rebounded shot to send the match into overtime. 

"Rey had an amazing goal in the dying second of the game," Pioneer coach Andy Cumbo said.

Felix Jaekel and Salvador Mendoza each had a shot on goal in the first overtime for the Pioneers, but Wildcat goalkeeper Sam Evans turned away both shots.

Chico State, which had 28 shots for the match, got off four shots in the first six minutes of the second overtime but the Pioneer defense held tough and the match ended in a 1-1 tie.

"We responded well and had the majority of the ball throughout the game,” Cumbo said. "Everyone stepped up and worked hard for the result. Chris Lara did an excellent job on the wing and was really effective getting services off.  Derrek Driggs also played really well and did not look like a true freshman."

The Pioneers opened the second half with a good offensive attack as a header by Driggs was saved in the last second by Evans.

Chico State put the pressure on the Pioneers backline with four shots in a six minute period, but was unable to put the ball in the net. The Wildcats continued their offensive attack, and had 18 shots midway in the second half, but couldn't extend their advantage.

Before the tying goal by Suarez, East Bay had two chances to tie the match in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Timo Baeuerle had a shot saved by Evans in the 85th minute and Carlos Barboza attempt sailed wide of the net two minutes later.

"In the 2nd half we had a lot of possessions but struggled to find dangerous opportunities in front of the goal,” Cumbo said. “We made some adjustments and generated more attack and corner kicks"

The Wildcats opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when Akwafei Ajeakwa scored his third goal of the season. Chico State got off five unanswered shots in the opening 10 minutes.

The Pioneers took control as Andres Ponce had a shot go wide in the 21st minute and four minutes later, Kellen Crow and Baeuerle shot attempts just missed the net.

In the following 10 minutes, the Wildcats missed on two shots attempts. Driggs shot was saved by Evans in the 37th minute.

In the first half, the Wildcats outshot the Pioneers by a 7-4 margin, including four shots on goal. East Bay had one shot towards the net.

"We came out flat and had a few mental errors that allowed them to earn two throw ins and a corner, and a goal in the 3rd minute," Cumbo said.

East Bay had 11 shots for the match led by Suarez, Grigg and Baeuerle with two each. The Pioneer goalkeepers were tremendous throughout the double-overtime match.  Bryce Bookhamer recorded three saves while facing 13 shots. Rene Martinez also turned away three shots while facing 14 shot attempts in the second half.

The Pioneers concluded an excellent two-match CCAA road trip with two ties and stand at 0-1-2 in conference. East Bay is 1-2-2 overall. Chico State stands at 2-1-1 in the CCAAA and 3-2-1 for the season.

"For us to go undefeated on the road in the CCAA and to have to played 220 minutes is an accomplishment we haven't had recently,” Cumbo said. “The guys had a strong weekend"
    
East Bay will play at Cal State Los Angeles on September 21.