Pioneers nicked by UC San Diego, 2-0
- October 29, 2010
HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay men’s soccer team allowed a goal in each half, eventually falling to UC San Diego, 2-0, on Friday night at Pioneer Stadium. Playing in their final CCAA home game of the season, the Pioneers (2-14-3, 1-11-3 CCAA) nearly matched the Tritons shot-for-shot, but could not find the back of the net in their fourth straight loss.
“We had a slow start in the first half, but a better second half,” CSUEB Head Coach Andy Cumbo said. “We had some looks on goal, but could do a better job trying to find one more pass before we look to goal. We worked hard in the second half and we’re looking forward to playing again on Sunday.”
UC San Diego took the lead in the 14th minute and never relinquished it, despite several quality chances from the Pioneers. With the exception of the two goals, freshman keeper Bryce Bookhamer had another excellent outing between the posts, making eight saves on 12 UCSD shots.
The Tritons first score came after play developed in front of the goal thanks to seamless passing from UCSD. After Tyler Zupan headed the ball to David Bakal, the senior midfielder headed the ball into the right back corner to beat Bookhamer and give UC San Diego an early 1-0 lead.
Though the Tritons held a 9-5 advantage in shots and Bookhamer made seven stops in the first frame, UCSD keeper Josh Cohen needed one save and a block from his defense to keep the Pioneers out of the back of the net in the opening half. Cal State East Bay, however, could not beat Cohen, and headed to the half trailing 1-0.
The second half began like the first, as the Tritons added their second goal just eight minutes into the final period. After UCSD won a corner, freshman midfielder Andisheh Baheri played the corner into the box, where it found the head of Alex Arsht before Gavin Lamming put it away into the lower left corner to give San Diego a 2-0 lead with 41 minutes remaining.
“UCSD is good in the air in the box,” Cumbo said. “Their two goals were executed well.”
Despite the goal, Cal State East Bay remained determined and found new energy following the second Triton score. Daniel Borst, Michael Dowson and Carlos Navarrete responded almost immediately for the Pioneers, putting three straight shots on target and forcing Cohen to make three stops in just over a minute span.
Cal State East Bay knocked on the door again in the 60th minute after Arsht picked up a yellow card and gave East Bay a free kick in the San Diego end. Though Josh Alvarez’ kick was blocked by the Triton wall, Dowson collected the rebound and put a shot on goal but was stopped again by Cohen.
Though the Pioneers out-shot the Tritons 6-3 in the second half, East Bay could not get past Cohen to make the comeback attempt.
In the end, UCSD held just a one-shot advantage, 12-11, and Cohen required five saves, including four second-half stops, to post the clean sheet and the win. Bookhamer made just one second-half save in the losing effort. On the other side of the ball, CSUEB was led by Navarrete’s three shots, while Brandon Yee’s four strikes paced the Tritons.
Cal State East Bay will cap the 2010 CCAA campaign on Sunday, when they travel to La Jolla to meet UC San Diego again. The Pioneers and Tritons will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at RIMAC Field.