ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team jumped out to an early two-goal advantage Friday but was unable to hold off UC Merced, falling 4-2 at Pioneer Stadium. The result moved the Pioneers to 2-7-2 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play.
East Bay struck first in the 17th minute. Alexis Villanueva Zavala set up Bennett Richards, who found the back of the net to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 advantage.
The Pioneers doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Kiichi Murakami scored off an assist from Mauricio Velazquez, putting East Bay ahead 2-0.
UC Merced answered less than a minute later when Davian Lizarraga scored in the 32nd minute to cut the East Bay lead to 2-1. The Bobcats pulled even just before halftime on a goal from Matthew Aldana in the 45th minute, sending the teams into the break tied 2-2.
UC Merced carried that momentum into the second half, with Aldana scoring again in the 49th minute to give the Bobcats their first lead of the afternoon.
East Bay continued to search for an equalizer and created several opportunities after halftime. Guilherme Azevedo put two shots on frame during the second half, while Julian Valle also forced a save in the 73rd minute.
The Pioneers finished with 11 shots, placing six on goal. Azevedo led East Bay with four shots and two on frame, while Richards recorded three shots, two on goal and a goal. Murakami added two shots, one on goal and the Pioneers' other goal. Villanueva Zavala and Velazquez each recorded an assist.
Adan Corona played all 90 minutes in goal for East Bay and recorded six saves. The Pioneers also generated eight corner kicks, including five in the opening half.
UC Merced finished with 22 shots, including 10 on goal, and held a 10-8 advantage in corner kicks. East Bay was whistled for eight fouls compared with 20 for the Bobcats.
The Pioneers were unable to find another goal after halftime as UC Merced completed the comeback for the 4-2 decision.
