HAYWARD, Calif., -- The Pioneer men's soccer team put forth a dominating effort in their 4-1 victory over non-conference match against UC Santa Cruz on Sunday evening, October 15 in Pioneer Stadium.
 
Cal State East Bay improved to 3-9-2 overall on the season and 3-2-1 in none California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) games this season. Their four goals on Sunday evening tied a season best set in their season opening 4-0 win over Holy Names.
 
East Bay dominated the possession of the ball in the first half of play claiming a 5-3 shot advantage. The lone score before the intermission would come from East Bay junior Luis Salazar (San Lorenzo, Calif.,). Salazar headed a pass from Jonathan Cuevas into the back left corner of the net. It was Salazar's first goal as a Pioneer and Cuevas' second assist of the season as East Bay took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half the Pioneers would pull off an offensive eruption with three goals within ten minutes of game action. First freshman Grant LaFleur (Brentwood, Calif.,) scored on a perfect pass from senior TJ Butler at the bottom of the box as LaFleur was streaking toward the goal placing the kick on the right side of the goal. It was Lafleur's second goal on the year and and Butler's team-leading third helper of the year as CSUEB took a 2-0 lead.
 
Minutes later goal keeper Omar Coronel (Santa Rosa, Calif.,) placed a full length kick from the top of his own goalie box pass the entire UC Santa Cruz defense for his first career goal at East Bay.
 
Already hanging on to a 3-0 lead, senior Christian Mendoza (Hayward, Calif.,) placed his first goal as a Pioneer to the top right corner of the net just past the outstretched arms of the goalie to give East Bay a 4-0 lead.
 
The Banana Slugs would score their only goal in the 82nd minute of action as the Pioneers secured the 4-1 win. East Bay outshot UC Santa Cruz 11-7 for the game and also won the corner kick battle 2-1.
 
Omar Coronel logged all 90 minutes in the net and recorded three saves, giving him 28 total on the season.
 
Cal State East Bay will embark on their final road trip of the 2017 season with matches against Chico State (Oct. 20) and Stanislaus State (Oct. 22).