HAYWARD, Calif. -- The first night of the 2016 men's soccer season was a memorable one for Cal State East Bay, as the Pioneers picked up a 3-0 shutout victory over Academy of Art on Friday under the lights at Pioneer Stadium. 

It was the first career victory at the Division II level for first-year head coach Michael Bielski, who took over the squad in July. 

Looking to avenge a 2-1 loss last season to the Urban Knights, East Bay got on the board early. In the 15th minute, Preston Hale passed a through ball to freshman Luis Lopez in the box. Lopez made a nifty move to get past his defender, then netted the first goal of the season for the Pioneers. 

It was still 1-0 at halftime, but the Pioneers quickly doubled their lead coming out of the break. Five minutes into the second half, Hale took a long pass from Steffen Sauer down the left sideline. He got past the defense, dribbled into the box, and fired into the lower right corner of the cage for his second career goal.

CSUEB tacked on an insurance goal in the 68th minute thanks to another long pass. Victor Calderon found Michael Paiva down the right sideline. The Academy of Art keeper came out the contest him, but Paiva dribbled past the goalie and scored on an open net to seal victory. 

Junior keeper Ariel Rosenmann picked up the shutout win in his first collegiate start, tallying seven saves for the Pioneers. 

Next up, Cal State East Bay returns action at Pioneer Stadium for a Sunday matinee at 11:30 a.m. against Holy Names.