HAYWARD, Calif., -- The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team captured their first win of the season in their 2019 home opening match against the University of Texas-Permian Basin on Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Stadium.
 
With the victory, the Pioneers move to 1-2 on the season as they also broke their scoreless streak of two games.
 
The East Bay defense once again held true as they picked up their first shutout of the season. On this day, the Pioneer offense was up for the challenge of turning out a strong performance.
 
From the opening kick the CSUEB offensive was aggressive. That aggressiveness led to their first goal of the season as freshman Mateo Didomenico headed in a beautiful pass through traffic from fellow freshman Ishmam Rahman to give East Bay a 1-0 lead.
 
Despite the aggressive play of offense by the Pioneers, it was the visiting Falcons who ended up holding the shot advantage 19-13. UTPB also finished with seven shots on goal to four shots on goal from East Bay.
 
Moments later in the 11th minute of action, the Pioneers added to their lead as freshman Zack Mason placed a beautiful kick into the back corner of the goal on a pass from Mateo Didomenico.
 
The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead into the intermission where they regrouped and reloaded.
 
Just minutes into the second half the Pioneers sealed the game with a goal from freshman Trevor Brown as he placed Zack Mason's pass into the corner of the goal.
 
The East Bay defense continued to play tough as they thwarted as chance for a UT-Permian Basin comeback. Sophomore goalkeeper Juan Diego Escalante compiled seven saves for East Bay as he recorded his first career shutout.
 
Mateo Didomenico and Zack Mason each finished the contest with a goal and assist. Didomenico tallied four total shots and Mason chipped in one shot.
 
Josh Gaeckle once again led East Bay with five shots. Tyson Griffin, Michael Francisco Ajoleza and Trevor Brown all added one shot each with Brown's shot resulting in a goal.
 
The Pioneers will continue their home stand with a match against the Holy Names Hawks on Thursday afternoon, September 19 at 4:30 p.m.