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.
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