SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State East Bay put together one of its most determined performances of the season in Friday morning's CCAA Tournament semifinal, out-shooting No. 3 team in the country Stanislaus State.  The Pioneers controlled for long stretches of play, but were ultimately undone by a pair of decisive Warrior goals in a 2–0 defeat at Cardinale Stadium.
 
The Pioneers generated 17 shots — including six on target — and held 60 percent of the possession, consistently pushing the Warriors back and creating danger from wide areas and set pieces. Alejandro Zarate, Yuto Hatayama, Jonas Banouas, and Kiichi Murakami all produced quality looks throughout the afternoon, but Stanislaus State goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez turned in a standout six-save performance to preserve the shutout.
 
Despite East Bay's strong start, Stanislaus State struck first in the 22nd minute. Emmanuel Duran took control of the ball in the box and slid it past the diving  Adan Corona for the game's first score.  The Pioneers responded with their best sustained attacking spell of the first half, recording shots from Hatayama, Banouas, and Alexis Villanueva Zavala while limiting Stanislaus to just one shot on goal the rest of the period.
 
East Bay came out even stronger after halftime. Zarate drove a shot high in the 58th minute before Hatayama forced a save moments later. Murakami followed with consecutive attempts in the 81st and 82nd minutes, one saved, one blocked, as East Bay pressed forward in search of an equalizer.
 
After a pair of red cards forced the Pioneers to play two men down, the Warriors added an insurance goal in the 86^th minute to seal the victory.  Alexis Cervantes finished a cross from Jose Tizoc to make it 2-0. 
 
Corona made four saves for the Pioneers, including key stops in the 23rd, 83rd, and 87th minutes to keep East Bay within reach throughout the match. Hatayama led the team with four shots, while Zarate added four of his own and Murakami contributed three.
 
The Pioneers have now made the CCAA Tournament semifinals in consecutive years and finish the season at 7-6-5.