HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season in a wild game against Upper Iowa University Thursday evening at Pioneer Stadium. The final score was 3-2, as CSUEB allowed its first goals of the year.

Both teams were aggressive offensively, creating an exciting 90 minutes of action. Just a few minutes in, Preston Hale hit the crossbar from point blank. It was a disappointing miss for the Pioneers, but it was clear that scoring chances would be aplenty in this contest. 

In the 22nd minute, the Pioneers got on the scoreboard first. Victor Calderon sent a corner kick from the left side, and Kalvin Conley out-leaped the defense to head in his first goal to put CSUEB up 1-0. 

The advantage was short-lived, however, as the Peacocks answered back with a pair of quick scores at 27 and 31 minutes. The action became more physical as the half progressed, and it boiled over just after the buzzer sounded the end of the first 45 minutes.

Several players exchanged words, resulting in a confrontation that led to yellow cards for both teams and a red card for Calderon. All told, there were six cards issued in the match.

Despite playing down a man the entire second half, East Bay continued to produce scoring chances near the net, but they couldn't manage to net the equalizer as the clock ticked down inside 20 minutes. Then in the 72nd minute, UIU's Blaire Lyons got past the defense and played a through ball to Ryan Pinkerton, who scored to make it 3-1 Penguins. 

But the Pioneers refused to quit. Three minutes later, Evan Sanchez took a long pass from Hale down the right side, dribbled into the box, made a couple nice moves to get free of two defenders, then beat the keeper into the right corner of the goal. It was the first goal as a Pioneer for the junior transfer from San Jose State. 

Ultimately, East Bay's comeback attempt fell short as Upper Iowa hung on for the narrow victory. Both squads attempted four shots on goal for the night.

Junior goalkeeper Ariel Rosenmann played the first half and allowed the first two goals. Senior Douglas McNeill took over for the second half, making his first appearance of the season. He tallied one save and allowed the third Peacock goal.

CSUEB returns to the field Saturday evening at 7 p.m. to conclude the Pioneer Challenge. They play their fourth straight home game to open the season and will look to get back into the win column against Regis University, which defeated Humboldt State, 1-0, on Thursday.