Box Score NAMPA, Idaho – Cal State East Bay concluded its Idaho road trip with a 1-1 draw against host school Northwest Nazarene on Saturday afternoon. Alyssa Rodriguez scored in the ninth minute, within 50 seconds of falling behind the Crusaders, to pull the Pioneers even.

Both teams scored on their respective opening shot attempts with Northwest Nazarene (0-1-2) sophomore Sarah Jenkins doing the honors off a Lexi Fesenbek corner kick at the 7:42 mark. It was the first Crusaders goal of the season, and the first time NNU played from ahead in any of its three official matches.

The advantage was short lived as Rodriguez was set up by a long pass from teammate Janelle Herrera just 49 seconds later. The Cal State East Bay senior made the most of her first career start as she netted her first goal of the season and third as a Pioneer.

"I wasn't aware (it was my first start). I am already motivated being a senior and wanting to get as much as possible out of this last year," said Rodriguez when asked about any extra motivation in her first start for East Bay. "The group we have this year is at a different level. This is the start of something good and it motivates me to not let my teammates down."

Over the final 100-plus minutes neither goalkeeper let down their respective team. EB's Selena Braun secured seven saves and NNU's Danielle Ortiz stopped six shots on target. Braun finished with 13 saves on the trip and a season-best seven versus NNU.

"I was happy with our team's response to conceding the goal off the corner kick. Janelle hit a good ball and found Alyssa on the far post. 'A-Rod' did a great job finishing to even up the game," praised East Bay Head Coach Amy Gerace.

The Crusaders made a strong push to retake the lead in the second half. NNU took 10 of its 17 shots and four of seven corner kicks in the frame. Nicole Nsa led all players with seven shots taken and four on goal. Rodriguez led the Pioneers with a career-high five shots on Saturday.

"We are all frustrated to not come away from this game with our second victory of the trip. It is tough to play on the road," said Gerace. "At the end of the day, we'll take the points and keep preparing for conference play."

Cal State East Bay returns to California and will face Academy of Art (0-3-0) at Crocker Amazon Park on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

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