ALAMEDA, Calif. — Cal State East Bay nearly erased a four-goal deficit Tuesday afternoon, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half before falling 4-3 to Seattle Pacific at the Oakland Roots Training Facility.
Seattle Pacific established the early advantage with goals in the 15th and 19th minutes to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Falcons added two more shortly after the break, scoring in the 47th and 48th minutes to extend the margin to 4-0.
East Bay's response began in the 58th minute.
Kaylie McKee put the Pioneers on the board with her first goal of the season, finishing a feed from Alisi Tauataina to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Pioneers continued to build momentum.
Grace Moeder made it 4-2 in the 69th minute, scoring off a deflection from the center of the box. East Bay nearly added another just seconds later when Isabella Ramos put a shot on goal, followed shortly by another attempt on target from Moeder.
The pressure paid off again in the 71st minute.
Kella Folkerts put an attempt on target that was saved, but Taylor Hodges was there to finish the rebound, bringing East Bay all the way back within one at 4-3.
The Pioneers continued searching for the equalizer over the final 19 minutes. Folkerts forced another save in the 86th minute before Hodges generated another attempt, and Jenna McDonnell put a shot on target in the 88th minute as East Bay continued to apply pressure until the closing minutes.
East Bay finished with 12 shots, putting nine on goal, and held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks. Nine of the Pioneers' 12 shots came after halftime.
McKee, Moeder and Hodges each recorded their first goals of the season. Folkerts finished with three shots, two on goal and an assist, while Tauataina also recorded an assist.
Bianca Avila made the start in goal before Yvette Torres entered to begin the second half. Torres recorded four saves before Avila returned for the closing stretch.
Cal State East Bay moves to 0-2 on the season and returns to action Monday, Sept. 7 against Western Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Oakland Roots Training Facility in Alameda.
