HAYWARD, 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 struck early, finding the net in the 10th minute off an assist from Kiichi Murakami to give East Bay a quick 1–0 lead. Zarate once again scored from distance, firing a low bullet from 20 yards out inside the left post. Monterey Bay responded late in the first half when Sylas Sells converted in the 42nd minute to level the score at 1–1 heading into the break.
After a back-and-forth start to the second half, Zarate came through again in the 74th minute, burying a penalty kick to reclaim the lead for the Pioneers. The goal, his second of the day gave him a team best eight on the season. Zarate also leads the CCAA in goals and total points with 22.
The Pioneers' offensive push was relentless, outshooting Monterey Bay 17–14, including a 9–4 edge in shots on goal, and earning seven corner kicks to the Otters' five. Zarate recorded seven shots while Julian Valle and Charlie Cazares each tallied two apiece.
Defensively, goalkeeper Adan Corona anchored the effort with three saves across 90 minutes, stifling Monterey Bay's late advances to preserve the one-goal victory.
The Pioneers hit the road next week for a pair of tough CCAA contests against Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona.
Latest Men's Soccer
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- 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’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.
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