HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team is set to begin California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play this weekend with two key contests at Pioneer Stadium.

CSUEB plays host to UC San Diego on Friday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m., before facing Cal State San Marcos on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. Both contests will have live stats and will be streamed here.

The Pioneers have won two of its last three matches, outscoring opponents 7-5 in the process. Cal State East Bay (2-3) earned its first win of the season with a 3-0 decision at home over Texas Permian Basin on Sept. 15, and followed it up with a thrilling 2-1 double overtime victory against Holy Names on Sept. 19.

Friday night's game against UC San Diego (5-1) will be the first meeting between the two teams since playing to a 0-0 scoreless tie in their lone matchup last season. Meanwhile, Cal State East Bay is 2-1-1 all-time against Cal State San Marcos (2-4).

But history doesn't matter to this young Pioneer team that features 12 freshmen and eight sophomores. Six of the team's seven goals this season have been scored by freshmen, which is exciting for head coach Mike Bielski.

"There's a lot of different players we can rely on," he said. "There's a lot of guys who want to win and are hungry to score goals. We're excited, there's a real good vibe right now."

Defender Tyson Griffin, the team's only senior, said he embraces the role in leading his younger teammates.

"It's fun because for a lot of the guys, it's their first month being away from home," said Griffin, a native of San Diego who played his first two seasons at Cal State Bakersfield. "I look at everyone as kind of my little brother.

"All the guys are super cool. They make the experience easier for me because they listen and work hard. They all govern themselves, which is nice."
 
PIONEER NOTES:

• Seven different Pioneers have scored one goal apiece this season — six of which were scored by freshmen
• Cal State East Bay has recorded six assists this season compared to just three by the opposition
• Freshman Zack Mason leads the Pioneers with two assists, four total points and is tied for a team-high with four shots on goal
• Freshman Josh Gaeckle has amassed a team-best 17 shots with four shots on target
• Senior Tyson Griffin has played all but one minute this season and leads the team with 469 minutes played
• The Pioneers are 2-1-1 all-time against Cal State San Marcos and 0-10-2 against UC San Diego