IRVINE, Calif. – Cal State East Bay men's soccer battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon against Concordia Irvine. Both goals came early in the second half with the Pioneers equalizing to move to 2-3-1 on the season.
After a scoreless first half where the Eagles outshot the Pioneers 11-3, goalkeeper Julian Escobar kept East Bay in the match with a string of key stops. Escobar finished with six saves on the day, including four in the opening period.
The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute, when Concordia's Kevin Sanchez slotted home a finish off a quick build-up. Less than six minutes later the Pioneers responded as Alan Gutierrez found the equalizer on a cross. Julian Valle and Kiichi Murakami picked up assists on the goal.
East Bay nearly took the lead moments later, generating three shots and a corner in quick succession, but Concordia's defense held firm.
Defensively, Escobar's late saves in the 84th and 86th minutes preserved the result. Offensively the Pioneers tallied seven of their 10 total shots after halftime.
The tie rounded out non-conference for East Bay as they open CCAA play next Friday with a trip to Stanislaus State.
Latest Men's Soccer
- Pioneers Battle to Road Draw with Cal Poly PomonaPOMONA, Calif. - Cal State East Bay earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday afternoon, extending the Pioneers' unbeaten streak to four matches in CCAA play. Despite being outshot 20-3, East Bay made the most of its chances, scoring early and holding firm defensively down the stretch to secure the road point. The Pioneers moved to 5-4-5 overall and 3-1-4 in CCAA play.
- Pioneers Battle to Scoreless Draw with Cal State San BernardinoSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team battled Cal State San Bernardino to a 0–0 draw on Friday afternoon, earning a hard-fought point on the road in a match defined by the defense. With the result, the Pioneers move to 5-4-4 overall and 3-1-3 in CCAA play.
- Zarate Named CCAA Men’s Offensive Athlete of the WeekAlejandro Zarate has been named this week's CCAA Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week after he secured the Pioneers to two crucial conference victories.
- Zarate Nets Another Brace as Pioneers Defeat Cal State Monterey BayHAYWARD, Calif. — Alejandro capped off a career week with his second straight brace to lift the Cal State men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay. The win marked the Pioneers third win in their last four CCAA matches and positions them alone in third place with a 3-1-2 record.
- Zarate’s Brace Helps Pioneers Knock Off No. 15 Cal State LAALAMEDA, Calif. —Alejandro Zarate scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner as the Cal State East Bay men's soccer team earned a statement 3–2 victory over No. 15 Cal State LA. The victory was the first in program history over the Golden Eagles and improved the Pioneers to 4-4-3 overall and 2-1-2 in CCAA play.
- Pioneers Furious Comeback Falls Just Short at Cal State San MarcosSAN MARCOS, Calif. — Cal State East Bay men's soccer mounted an inspired second-half comeback on the road but fell just short in a 5–3 loss to Cal State San Marcos. The Pioneers found themselves trailing 4–0 before storming back with three goals in a four-minute span to pull within striking distance. The Cougars then netted a late insurance goal to preserve the win and move EB to 3-4-3 overall and 1-1-2 in CCAA play.
