ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — After one of the most successful seasons in program history, six Cal State East Bay men's soccer players earned recognition from the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), highlighted by midfielder Alejandro Zarate, who was named the 2025 CCAA Midfielder of the Year and selected to the All-CCAA First Team.
 
Joining Zarate among the league's best were forward Jonas Banouas, who earned Second Team All-CCAA, and goalkeeper Adan Corona, midfielder Kiichi Murakami, and midfielder Julian Valle and defender Eugenio Perez-Vera Merino, who all received Honorable Mention honors.
 
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR/FIRST TEAM ALL-CCAA
 
Alejandro Zarate, Midfielder, Jr. - Elk Grove/Sonoma State
Zarate becomes the first Pioneer ever to earn a major conference award since the program joined the CCAA, capping a dynamic season in which he led Cal State East Bay in both goals (9) and assists (9), totaling a team-best 27 points. His 27 points also led the CCAA while his 9 goals tied for the lead and 8 assists ranked second.  Zarate also led all players in shots and shots on goal.  He also recorded three game-winning goals and scored or assisted in 9 different matches. This is Zarate's second appearance on an All-CCAA squad after earning Honorable Mention status at Sonoma State last season. 
 
SECOND TEAM ALL-CCAA
 
Jonas Banouas, Forward, Fr. - Zinnowitz, Germany/IU Internationale Hochschule
Banouas made an immediate impact in his debut collegiate campaign, finishing with three goals and one assist while appearing in all 17 matches. The forward from Zinnowitz, Germany, was a consistent attacking presence, ranking among the team leaders in shots on goal.
 
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CCAA
 
Kiichi Murakami, Midfielder, Jr. - Atsugi, Japan/Cañada College
Murakami was a force in the midfield for the Pioneers, finishing second on the team in goals with 3, assists with 5 and points with 11.  Murakami scored all three goals in CCAA play, including the first goal in CSUEB's win over Cal State LA in the CCAA Tournament.   
 
Julian Valle, Midfielder, Jr. - Union City/James Logan HS
Valle played his way onto a CCAA team for the first time, netting 3 goals and 3 assists and finishing third on the team with 9 points.  Valle scored 2 game-winning-goals, including the winner against Chico State.  
 
Adan Corona, Goalkeeper, Jr. – Stockton/Lincoln HS
Corona anchored the defense in goal, starting 14 matches and recording 61 saves with a .763 save percentage and a 1.36 goals-against average.  He led the CCAA in saves per game at 4.36 while ranking fifth in total saves.
 
Eugenio Perez-Vera Merino, Defender, Sr. - Leon, Spain/Iowa Lakes CC
Perez-Vera Merino earned Honorable Mention status for the second straight season.  He led the team in minutes played after starting all 17 games and playing 90 minutes in 15 of the 17 games.  Perez-Vera Merino also scored 1 goal and added 2 assists.