Pioneers Open Season with Win Over William Jessup
- August 27, 2009
HAYWARD, Calif. - The ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ men's soccer team kicked off the 2009 season with a 2-0 win over William Jessup University on Thursday afternoon. The Pioneers were bolstered by goals by freshman forward Michael Molinari and junior forward Christian Eteti as they secured the initial victory of first year head coach Andy Cumbo's career at East Bay.
Molinari got the scoring started in the 20th minute. After working to bring the ball into the box, sophomore midfielder Arnoldo Mendoza put a ball onto Molinari's head on the left side where Molinari connected, putting away his first goal of the year and the Pioneers' initial score of the season.
"Arnoldo really put in an extra effort to get the cross off," Cumbo said. "Mike did well with the finish."
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ held onto the one goal lead for the final 25 minutes of the first half, turning away the Warriors' five shots in the initial period. Freshman keeper Billy Morales posted three saves in the half, guiding the Pioneers to a 1-0 halftime lead.
Though William Jessup increased its pressure after the break, the backline held the one-goal advantage through the 70th minute when Eteti sealed the victory. The Cameroon native received a ball near the top of the box before beating the keeper and tapping the ball into the back of the open net. The 2-0 lead held, as Morales needed just one save and help from a strong CSUEB backline to cap the opening day shutout. The Pioneers out-shot WJU 22-10, forcing Warriors' keeper Jeff Dunn to make four saves.
"[Freshmen defenders] Jeff Nolan and Andy Pauley did a good job keeping things organized in the back," Cumbo said.
With its first victory under its belt, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ now travels to Washington to take on Seattle Pacific on Sept. 1 and St. Martin's on Sept. 3.