Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Pioneer men's soccer team won their first CCAA game with two late second-half goals to defeat San Francisco State 3-1 on September 28.

The victory improves the Pioneers CCAA record to 1-3-2. East Bay is now 2-4-2 for the season.  San Francisco State stands at 0-4-2 in CCAA play and 1-6-2 overall. The Pioneers were outshot for the game by a 20-13 margin. Rey Suarez had three shots including two on goal. Felix Jaekel  also recorded three shots in the Pioneers victory.  East Bay received another good performance from goalkeepers Rene Martinez and Bryce Bookhamer . Martinez had three saves on 12 Gators shots while Bookhamer turned away two attempts on goal. Bookhamer faced eight shots.

“I'm really happy for the guys and the result they earned today,” Pioneer coach Andy Cumbo said.  “Last
weekend in So Cal was tough and they didn't come back with what we wanted. The guys were really motivated and hard working in training this week.  We spent a lot of time on our possession and combination play. The week of training transferred on the field today in the game and the guys feel really good about their performance.”

East Bay came out strong early in the second half putting pressure on the Gators' backline. Jaekel had a shot wide in the 49th minute while Suarez attempt on goal was blocked in the 52nd minute.  A minute later, Lara had a shot blocked by a Gator defender.

San Francisco State controlled possession and tied the match in the 59th minute when Sam Merritt scored his second goal of the season. Robert Gilbert and Jose Monje assisted on the goal. Gilbert had a shot turned away from Bookhamer, who replaced Martinez to start the second half, in the 66th minute and seconds later, Jason Borges attempt went wide left.

Arthur Ethel scored his first goal of the season from three yards out with an assist from Javier Martin to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead at 75:59.

Four minutes later, the Pioneers extended their lead to 3-1 when Martin scored his first goal of the season.

The Gators had one final surge, but a shot by Luis Fidel Medina went wide at 84:59 and one minute later, Eilmaz Sarli attempt on goal was saved by Bookhamer.

Suarez had a shot turned away by Gator goalkeeper Anthony Rodriguez three minutes in the match. The Gators countered seven minutes later when Monje attempt on goal was saved by Martinez.

The Pioneers Florian Reppin had a shot go wide in the 15th minute. San Francisco State would get off three unanswered shots the following four minutes, but was unable to score.

Kellen Crow gave Cal State East Bay at 1-0 lead at 32:02 when he scored off a cross from seven yards out. For Crow, it was his first goal of the season. Chris Lara and Reppin were credited with the assists. East Bay continued the offensive pressure two minutes later as Suarez had a shot saved by Rodriguez.  Jaekel attempt on goal was turned away by Rodriguez in the 44th minute.

The Gators had two scoring chances in the final four minutes of the first half, but Martinez recorded a pair of saves to preserve the Pioneers first half lead.

“Paul, Scott, Chavo and Timo all did really well in the back,” Cumbo said. “Our midfielders made a huge impact as well. Kellen had a great goal and there was a great series of passes on the play.  Javier made a huge impact in the 2nd have with setting up the winning goal and scoring the third goal. We had a great time today and can't wait to play again on Sunday.”

Cal State East Bay will conclude a six-game CCAA road trip on September 30 at Cal State Monterey Bay. The game is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.