HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team will host No. 3 Simon Fraser University on Thursday, Sept. 5 in the 2013 season opener for both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. between the Pioneers and the nationally ranked Clan. East Bay will follow that up with a 12 p.m. road contest on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Notre Dame de Namur.

The Pioneers received a fourth place ranking in the North Division for the upcoming 2013 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) men's soccer season, according to the preseason coaches poll. CSUEB showed dramatic improvement in conference play during the 2012 season, defeating Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State and picking up a tie against eventual CCAA Champion Cal State Stanislaus.

East Bay returns 12 players from the 2012 team, led by junior forward Rey Suarez, an All-CCAA selection. He's joined by five fellow returning starters in goalkeeper Bryce Bookhamer, midfielder Kellen Crow, defenders Paul Dewhurst, Scott Dobson, and Jesus Leon.

The Pioneers will also hope for strong contributions from their transfer student-athletes. Returners Arthur Ethel and Chris Lara will be joined at the forward position by juniors Javier Martin and Enmanuel Calderra. Juniors Arnol Arceta and Rica Guerra will provide depth at the defender position. There are only a handful of freshmen on this veteran-laden squad, led by German defenders Steffen Sauer and Till Wendler.

Simon Fraser, which finished the 2012 campaign with a 19-2-1 record, is ranked third in the National Soccer Coaches Association preseason poll. SFU became the first-ever international school to win a game and reach the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament.