Pioneers pick up first CCAA win with 1-0 victory over Sonoma State
Senior midfielder Michelle Garcia scored the game winner for the Pioneers against Sonoma State on Friday.
- September 17, 2010
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – After playing to a scoreless draw for 80 minutes with Sonoma State, the Cal State East Bay women's soccer team broke through with its first goal of the conference season and held on to earn a 1-0 victory over the Seawolves on Friday afternoon at Seawolf Soccer Field. The Pioneers (3-2-1, 1-2-0 CCAA) saw senior midfielder Michelle Garcia put away the game's only goal to give East Bay its first CCAA win of the season.
"I'm very excited about our win today," CSUEB Head Coach Amy Gerace said. "Wins in the CCAA don't come easy and I'm especially proud of the team effort. A lot of players really stepped up and did an excellent job for us."
Both teams got off to a slow start, combining for just eight shots in the scoreless first half. The Pioneers tested Sonoma State keeper Courtney Grixti just once when junior Ariana Nobrega forced a save in the ninth minute. East Bay freshman keeper Donna Williams needed just one save as well to keep the Seawolves out of the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes.
The Pioneers came out of the half with renewed energy and were matched by the Seawolves. Each team more than doubled their shot totals from the first frame in the second half. Sonoma State jumped out of the gates, taking four shots in the opening five minutes, forcing Williams to make a save and requiring a block from a defender to keep the Seawolves scoreless.
Cal State East Bay began to build momentum in the 66th minute, taking four straight shots over the next four minutes. Sophomore forward Shianna Falk was unlucky twice, having two shots in that span blocked by the Sonoma State defense. Minutes later, sophomore Zuly Diaz forced Grixti to make a pair of saves.
Though the Seawolves answered with a shot on goal by Jaci Davey, Garcia finally broke through for the Pioneers in the 81st minute. After junior Jessica Hamister played a ball to Garcia, where she took a shot from outside the box that sailed over Grixti and into the back ofthe net. The goal is Garcia's first of the season and the Pioneers' first in CCAA play.
The Seawolves took just one more shot that was blocked by the East Bay defense, but the Pioneers held on to secure the victory and their third shutout of the season. The victory is Cal State East Bay's first in conference play since Oct. 2 of last year.
Williams needed six saves to maintain the shutout and the victory, while Grixti made four saves in the loss. Falk led the Pioneers with five shots on the day, while Taylor Colacion posted four shots to lead the Seawolves.
Cal State East Bay will look to continue its success on Sunday when it meets Humboldt State in Arcata. The Pioneers and Jacks are set for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff at the Redwood Bowl.