Alejandro 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.
The junior midfielder scored four goals on nine shots, seven being on target, across two matches, including two game-winners, leading East Bay to wins over #15 Cal State LA and Cal State Monterey Bay.
The Pioneers took the pitch in Alameda at the Oakland Roots Training Facility to face nationally ranked Cal State LA. For the first time in program history, East Bay earned a 3-2 upset, powered by Zarate, who tallied two shots, both on goal, and scored twice. He opened the scoring in the 4th minute to give the Pioneers early momentum. After taking a 2-1 lead into halftime, East Bay saw LA equalize in the 64th minute, but just 10 minutes later, Zarate answered back, netting the game-winner in the 74th to secure the historic victory.
Just two days later, Zarate led the Pioneers to a 2-1 win over Cal State Monterey Bay, scoring in both halves. He opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a low drive from 20 yards out before converting a 74th-minute penalty to put the game away. Along with his two goals, he tallied seven shots, five of which were on target.
Zarate currently leads the CCAA in goals (8), points (22), shots (45), and shots on goal (26), while ranking second in assists (6) and second in game-winning goals (3).
This marks Zarate's first career CCAA Athlete of the Week honor and the first for Cal State East Bay this season.
Next up, East Bay is scheduled to play at Cal State San Bernardino on Friday, October 24 at 12:30 p.m. at Premier Field, followed by a matchup at Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m. at Kellogg Stadium.
Latest Men's Soccer
- 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.
- Pioneers Explode for Six Goals in Win over Cal Poly HumboldtLIVERMORE, Calif. – Cal State East Bay men's soccer delivered a statement performance Friday afternoon, overwhelming Cal Poly Humboldt in a 6–1 victory at Las Positas College Soccer Field. The Pioneers' offensive outburst featured six different goal scorers to run their unbeaten streak to four straight matches and improved to 3-3-3 overall and 1-0-2 in CCAA play.
- Pioneers Draw 2-2 at UC Merced After Wild Second HalfMERCED, Calif. – Cal State East Bay men's soccer battled to another draw on Sunday afternoon, earning a point with a 2-2 tie at UC Merced. The teams combined for four second half goals to give the Pioneers a pair of ties to open the CCAA season. With the result, East Bay moved to 2-3-3 overall.
- Pioneers Tie No. 2 Stanislaus State 2-2 in CCAA OpenerTURLOCK, Calif. – Cal State East Bay men's soccer earned a hard-fought draw against the No. 2 team in the country on Friday afternoon, tying Stanislaus State 2-2 at Warrior Stadium. The result moved the Pioneers to 2-3-2 overall and 0-0-1 in CCAA play, while the Warriors went to 6-0-1 and 0-0-1.
