Pioneers topped by No. 9 Cal State Dominguez Hills in conference opener

  • September 10, 2010

HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay women's soccer team allowed just two goals to the 2009 national runner up, No. 9 Cal State Dominguez Hills, on Friday, but could not find the back of the net, falling to the Toros, 2-0, at Pioneer Stadium. The Pioneers (2-1-1, 0-1-0 CCAA) lost their first game of the season, despite shutting out the Toros over the final 59 minutes of play.

"Overall, I'm happy with the effort ofour team and particularly, the way we responded in the second half," CSUEB Head Coach Amy Gerace said. "Dominguez Hills is a good team and a team that would have required us to play very disciplined soccer if we wanted a more positive outcome."

The Toros got the scoring started 20 minutes into the first half, as Yadira Gomez worked her way through the Pioneer defense and lobbed a shot from about 18 yards into the left corner of the goal.

Leading 1-0, Cal State Dominguez Hills continued to push offensively, breaking through again in the 32nd minute togain a two-goal advantage. After winning a corner, Paige Peel played the ball in, where it connected with Brooke Thompson, whose header found Lexi Ford. Ford played the ball on the volley and put her shot past East Bay keeper Nina Cefaloto put the Toros up 2-0 at the half.

Cal State Dominguez Hills out-shot the Pioneers 8-3 in the first frame, forcing Cefalo to make three saves. Two of the three Pioneer shots in the opening half were on frame, but East Bay could not get one past Toro keeper Alyssa Congdon.

The Pioneers started to turn things around in the second half. Following a round of substitutions in the 65th minute, Ariana Nobrega recorded the first of East Bay's seven second-half shots, forcing Congdon to make a save.

About six minutes later, the Pioneers had one of their best opportunities of the half. After a pass back by the Toro defense was handled by Congdon, East Bay was awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty area about 10 yards from the goal. After Jasmine Stephens' kick was deflected off the wall for a corner, Michelle Quintero played a ball into the box that found Stephens. Her header was just tipped out by Congdon to maintain the shutout.

The Pioneers nearly struck again in the 79th minute, as a misplay by the Dominguez Hills defense left an open goal for Katie Brawley. Brawley's shot, however, clanged off the right post and out of bounds, ending the East Bay threat.

Though the Pioneer defense held strong throughout the second half, East Bay could not find a way past Congdon. The final frame saw CSUEB nearly match the Toros with seven shots to Dominguez Hills' eight, while Congdon required three saves to keep the clean sheet and pick up her third win of the season.

Stephens and Kara Yamamoto led the Pioneers with two shots apiece, while Taylor Canatsey notched five shots to pace the Toros. Congdon and Cefalo each made five saves in the conference opener.

Cal State East Bay will look to get back on the winning track on Sunday as it faces another test in No. 23 Cal State LA on Sunday. LA came up with a 3-1 victory over UC San Diego on Friday. The Pioneers and Golden Eagles are set to meet at 11:30 a.m. at Pioneer Stadium. Live statistics will be available .