Season Opener - Thursday, August 25
NORTHWEST NAZARENE at CAL STATE EAST BAY
Where: Hayward, Calif. 
Stadium: Pioneer Stadium
Time: 5 p.m.
WATCH | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

Saturday, August 27
BIOLA at CAL STATE EAST BAY
Where: Hayward, Calif. 
Stadium: Pioneer Stadium
Time: 11:30 a.m.
WATCH | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

Coming off a historic postseason run in 2021, the Cal State East Bay women's soccer team begins its 2022 journey this week with a pair of home matches. Under the direction of head coach Robin Hart, the Pioneers open the season on Thursday with a matchup against Northwest Nazarene, with a 5 p.m. kickoff scheduled from Pioneer Stadium. 

For the Pioneers, it will be their third matchup against the Nighthawks in the modern NCAA Division II era, as the series is even at 1-1-1. NNU took the latest matchup, 6-2 in September 2019. 

Saturday's matchup against Biola will be the first between the Pioneers and Eagles with both in NCAA Division II.

Cal State East Bay's historic run in 2021 included its first ever CCAA Tournament Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer West Regional.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jordan Smith - Goalkeeper
With over 2,000 minutes in net last season, Smith was outstanding for the Pioneers. An All-CCAA Honorable Mention selection, Smith recorded 10 shutouts, which was the most in a single season in program history and finished with a 0.76 goals-against-average. 

Kelsey Pena - Midfielder
Pena started all 21 matches for Cal State East Bay last season and had three goals and three assists. Perhaps her most notable goal was scored in the CCAA Tournament Final in the 63rd minute, which was the game winner leading the Pioneers to a 2021 CCAA Tournament Championship. 

Kayla Morales - Defender
Morales logged 2,006 minutes during the 2021 season, just minutes shy of playing all available. She tallied three assists and earned the Rising Pioneer Award following last season. 

ABOUT NORTHWEST NAZARENE

The Nighthawks finished 2021 with an overall record of 10-5-3. Ashley Parton is the most notable returner offensively with five goals and four assists in 2021. Alexis Montoya returns as a goalkeeper who had seven shutouts last season and a 0.95 GAA. 

ABOUT BIOLA

The Eagles are coming off a 2021 campaign in which they went 7-8-2 overall. Jazmin Montalvo returns to the roster for her sophomore season, as she led Biola with six goals and one assist in 2021. Biola opens its 2022 season on Thursday at Cal State Monterey Bay.