MERCED, Calif. – Cal State East Bay women's soccer continued its strong start to conference play Sunday afternoon, earning a 1-0 road victory over UC Merced on a late goal by Kella Folkerts. The Pioneers improved to 4-4-1 overall and 2-0-0 in CCAA action, while the Bobcats dropped to 4-2-3 and 1-1-0.
After a scoreless first half, the Pioneers capitalized in the 81st minute behind Folkerts' third goal of the season. The play began with a pass out wide to Taylor Hodges who pushed forward into the box. She sent a pass towards the front of the net that was touched by a defender before Folkerts finished it off.
The goal capped a strong defensive performance by the Pioneers, who weathered 10 UC Merced corner kicks and 12 total shots. Goalkeeper Ashley Levi anchored the back line with a three-save shutout, her second clean sheet of the season.
Offensively, East Bay tallied six shots, with three on goal, including two from Abigail Kern to lead the team.
With the win, Cal State East Bay has now won back-to-back matches to open CCAA play for the first time since 2021. The Pioneers head out on the road next week for a pair of matches, taking on Cal Poly Humboldt on Friday and Cal State San Marcos on Sunday.
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- Pioneers Fall to Cal State San Bernardino on the RoadSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay women's soccer team was unable to overcome an early deficit Friday afternoon, falling 5–0 to Cal State San Bernardino in a CCAA matchup. The Pioneers moved to 5-7-2 overall and 3-3-1 in CCAA play with the loss.
- Late Goal Sinks Pioneers in 1–0 Loss to Cal State Monterey BayHAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay women's soccer team suffered a tough 1–0 defeat to Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers surrendered a late goal to the Otters in the 84th minute to move to 5-6-2 overall and 3-2-1 in CCAA play.
- Levi, Pioneers Blank Cal State LAALAMEDA, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay women's soccer used a key first half goal from Kella Folkerts and stellar play between the pipes from Ashley Levi to shutout Cal State LA on Friday afternoon. The Pioneers improved 5-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in CCAA play with the victory and now sit alone in second place.
- Pioneers Battle to Road Draw at Cal State San MarcosSAN MARCOS, Calif. — Cal State East Bay women's soccer fought to a hard-earned 0–0 draw against Cal State San Marcos on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers used a strong defensive showing to earn the road point, moving to 4–5–2 overall and 2–1–1 in the CCAA.
- Pioneers Fall 2–0 to Cal Poly HumboldtLIVERMORE, Calif. — Cal State East Bay women's soccer dropped its first home CCAA match of the season Friday afternoon, falling 2–0 to Cal Poly Humboldt at Las Positas College. The visiting Lumberjacks scored twice in the opening 25 minutes to move the Pioneers to 4-6-1 overall and 2-1 in CCAA play.
