Pioneers open season with 1-0 victory over Hilo
Freshman Jake Bedell scored the first goal of the season in the Pioneers' win over Hawai'i Hilo.
- September 2, 2010
HONOLULU, Hawai'i – The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team got the season started on the right foot on Thursday afternoon, topping Hawai'i Hilo, 1-0, at Waipio Soccer Complex in Honolulu. Freshman Jake Bedell put away the only goal the Pioneers (1-0) would need and East Bay held off the Vulcans (1-1) to take the win to open the 2010 campaign.
"It was a really physical game, there was not a lot of possession," CSUEB Head Coach Andy Cumbo said. "It was a great result for us. All 19 players played a role for us in the win."
The game's only goal came in the 46th minute for the Pioneers. After redshirt freshman Sam Dueñas played a through-ball to freshman Alexis Romo on the wing, Romo beat his defender one-on-one. Romo then dished the ball to Bedell, who one-timed a shot low into the corner to beat Hilo keeper Alex Parra.
After the goal, the Vulcans looked ready to return the favor, creating a breakaway chance in the 50th minute. With a Hilo player bearing down on him, freshman keeper Bryce Bookhamer made the stop but suffered an injury on the play, being forced to leave the game. Fellow freshman Patrick Gilbertson took over where Bookhamer left off, making three saves over the final 35 minutes to preserve the shutout and the win.
"Patrick came in and did a great job,"Cumbo said. "For a very young team, everyone showed a lot of leadership and worked hard to get the result we wanted today."
A physical match, the Pioneers committed 12 of the 19 fouls in the game, while Hilo out-shot Cal State East Bay 14-7. Romo and redshirt freshman Josh Alvarez led CSUEB with two shots apiece, while Drew Geis' five shots paced the Vulcans.
Both Bookhamer and the Vulcans' starting keeper Dane Kaylor, held their opponents scoreless in the first frame, combining to make three saves in the opening half. The shutout marks the first for the Pioneers since Aug. 27, 2009, when East Bay topped William Jessup, 2-0, to open last season.
The Pioneers will look to build on today's win when they take on Hawai'i Pacific on Saturday night at 10 p.m. PT at Waipio Soccer Stadium. The Sea Warriors will open their season against Cal State East Bay after finishing last season as the runners up in the PacWest Conference.