CSUEB Ends Scoring Drought, Edged by San Bernardino, 2-1
- October 25, 2009
HAYWARD, Calif. - Though it snapped a five-match scoreless streak, the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ women's soccer team could not overcome two first-half Cal State San Bernardino goals, falling to the Coyotes, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers scored for the first time since Oct. 2 in the second game of their season-ending four match homestand.
Cal State San Bernardino got off to a quick start, posting seven shots in the first 20 minutes of the match and opening scoring in the 21st minute. The goal came after Mackenzie Dill fed the ball to Jaclyn Clark near the top of the box, where she lofted a shot into the top of the net to give the Coyotes an early 1-0 lead.
San Bernardino continued to press, eventually breaking through the East Bay defense again just before the half. The eventual game winner came from Kristina Gomez, whose shot on the ground beat Pioneer freshman keeper Nina Cefalo in the 42nd minute. The goal was Gomez' team-leading sixth of the season.
Though the Coyotes out-shot the Pioneers 11-4 in the first half, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ created its fair share of chances in the San Bernardino end. Just three minutes into the match sophomore forward Zuly Diaz linked up with freshman forward Shianna Falk on a give-and-go that CSUSB keeper Laura Lyons broke up in the box. With 20 minutes remaining, the Pioneers had a string of three free kicks in the Coyote end that sophomore center back Breanna Baker put into the box, but still could not convert. East Bay's best chance came with just 40 seconds remaining in the first frame, as freshman midfielder Claudia Luna put a cross into the box from the right side, finding Falk. The Littleton, Colo., native put a head on it and forced Lyons to punch the ball away. The rebound found Diaz who ripped a shot just wide with time winding down.
A rejuvenated ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ squad came out of the half with a nose for the goal. The Pioneers controlled possession for a majority of the second frame, taking 10 shots. Defensively, CSUEB got leadership from Baker on the backline, staying organized and holding the Coyotes scoreless for the final 48 minutes of the match while blocking three shots during that span.
After building momentum and holding the ball in the San Bernardino end, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ finally broke through as junior winger Carly Genzoli snapped the Pioneers' five-match scoreless streak in the 73rd minute. After bringing the ball into the box, Falk played it wide to Genzoli who took a touch and then shot the ball diagonally past a diving Lyons to cut the lead to just one.
Despite controlling possession for the remainder of the half, the Pioneers could not notch the equalizer. Over the final 15 minutes, East Bay threw six more shots at Lyons and the Coyote backline, but could not complete the comeback. Diaz nearly connected on two straight corner kicks, however San Bernardino came out of both unscathed.
Lyons faced 14 ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ shots in the win, making four saves. On the other end, Cefalo made seven saves, including five in the first half, while facing 18 Coyote shots. Gomez and Kelsey Gudgeon led San Bernardino with three shots apiece, while Diaz and sophomore midfielder Michelle Quintero also posted three strikes each.
The Pioneers now look ahead to the final weekend of the 2009 slate that will feature meetings with Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA. Last week the Toros and Golden Eagles both notched wins over ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ in Southern California. Friday's matchup with Dominguez Hills is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m., while Sunday's Senior Day against Cal State LA will begin at 11:30 a.m.