HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's soccer team closed out its non-conference schedule with a 3-0 shutout of Academy of Art on a chilly Tuesday night at Pioneer Stadium. It marked the 100th career victory for head coach and Pioneer alumna Amy Gerace. 

The Pioneers improve to 2-4 heading into their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule, which begins later this week.

"I'm excited about our win tonight," Gerace said. "I was pleased with our ability to keep possession of the ball and control the rhythm of play. I'm also happy with our overall progress throughout the preseason. It was nice to play well in our last three games to prepare for our opening weekend in the CCAA."

The Pioneers had the Urban Knights on their heels early in this contest. Andrea Hernandez made a run down the right sideline and got off a brilliant cross to Megan Ravenscroft right in front of the goal. Ravenscroft beat her defender with a header and found the back left post to make it 1-0 just three minutes and 12 seconds into the game.

Academy of Art managed a couple of shots on goal in the first half, but overall East Bay was successful in controlling possession. Looking to pick up its first home win of the season, the squad took its 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Pioneers continued to put pressure on Academy of Art's defense, and 18 minutes into the second half, they finally padded their lead. Rachel Robbert took possession on a giveaway inside the box. Her initial shot from 12 yards on the left side was saved, but the rebound came right back to her, and Robbert blasted it into the upper right corner for her first goal of the season.

Robbert struck again less than four minutes later. After an Urban Knight defender misplayed the ball, the junior pounced on it and had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. She drew the keeper out slightly and chipped a shot over her head from about 10 yards out.

Robbert's pair of goals put the game out of reach as the Pioneers closed out the victory and immediately surrounded coach Gerace in celebration.

East Bay freshman keeper Amanda Valentine made three saves in her second shutout of the season.

"We did a better job with the simple things tonight, and as a result we were able to score goals through the flow of play," Gerace added. "It's been a fun preseason watching this team come together. We still have areas where we want to improve, but the overall commitment level and work rate is moving us in that direction."

Now in her 15th season, Gerace is the longest-tenured head coach in the history of the women's soccer program. Her 100 victories trail only Colin Lindores (122), who helmed the great Pioneer teams of the 1980s.

The CSUEB women open CCAA at home this week with a pair of games against local rivals. On Friday, Sept. 18, they play the back end of a doubleheader with the men's team against Cal State Monterey Bay, scheduled for 7 p.m.