Pioneers edged by No. 6 San Bernardino

  • October 22, 2010

HAYWARD, Calif. – Despite holding Cal State San Bernardino scoreless for nearly 75 minutes, the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ men’s soccer team came out on the losing end of a 1-0 decision in San Bernardino on Friday afternoon. The Pioneers (2-13-2, 1-10-2 CCAA) improved on their 3-1 loss to the Coyotes earlier this season, but could not find the back of the net in their seventh sraight loss.

"We played well on both sides of the ball today," CSUEB Head Coach Andy Cumbo said. "We’re continually doing more with the ball each game. We’re defending les and taking the pressure off our backline and keeper. We left ourselves exposed once and San Bernardino caught us on it. We took another step forward today."

The Pioneer defense held off Cal State San Bernardino in the first half despite facing 12 shots, half of which were on frame. Freshman keeper Bryce Bookhamer made six saves to keep the Coyotes scoreless, while his backline blocked another two shots in the first 45 minutes. On the other end, the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ offense took two shots and won three corner kicks but could not find the back of the net, heading to the half locked in a scoreless draw.

ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ notched two shots in the first 20 minutes of the half, including its lone shot on goal in the match off the foot of senior Sean Lynum-Young, forcing San Bernardino keeper Tanner Olinger to make his only save of the match.

After four shots off target to open the second half, the Coyotes finally beat Bookhamer to take the 1-0 lead. Julian Garcia played the ball in from distance, finding Martin Esqueda who finished to score his first goal of the season and give San Bernardino the only lead it would need.

The Coyotes finished the match with 21 shots, putting 10 of those on target and forcing Bookhamer to make nine saves. Meanwhile, the Pioneers finished with four shots, led by sophomore Michael Dowson’s pair of strikes.

ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ returns to action on Sunday, taking on Cal Poly Pomona at 11:30 a.m. The Pioneers and Broncos played to a 1-1 double overtime draw in their first meeting on Oct. 1.