HAYWARD – The SF State men's soccer team won two battles this afternoon in Hayward, Calif., the first was defeated Cal State East Bay 3-1 and the second defeating the 90 degree heat. The Gators rebounded from a conference opening loss at Stanislaus State on Friday evening to pick up their first CCAA victory.
With the win, SF State picked up its first road win since a 2-0 victory on September 27, 2013 at Stanislaus State. The Gators improve to 5-2 on the season and 1-1 in the CCAA while Cal State East Bay falls to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the CCAA.
Emmanuel Jimenez had 7 saves in goal for the visitors while Adrian Topete recorded two saves in goal for Cal State East Bay.
SF State had an early chance to take the lead, but
Sam Merritt's shot was blocked just 47 seconds into the match off a corner kick by
Ashley Watson. The score remained scoreless until the 12
th minute when Victor Calderon scored the match's first goal for Cal State East Bay on a ball from Christian Gonzalez and Chris Gallan.
Cal State East Bay did not hold on that lead for long as the Gators tied the match at 1-1 in the 15
th minute when
Robert Kelly scored his goal in the purple and gold. Kelly's goal came off a cross from
Armando Flores.
Jakob Velega had a chance to give the Gators the lead, but Topete recorded one of his two saves on the day in the 25
th minute. Then Velega's saw his header sail wide left in the 26
th minute.
The Pioneers looked like they were going to take the lead back, but Jimenez stopped Steffen Sauer's attempt in the 28
th minute.
The Gators had one more chance for the lead, but
Brandon Brunac's chance to give SF State sailed wide as the match went into halftime tied at 1-1.
Cal State East Bay had two chances for the lead early in the second half, but Jimenez stopped Sauer's and Calderon's attempt as the match remained tied at 1-1.
Then in the 58
th minute, Flores connected on what proved to be the game-winner for the Gators. He scored off a ball from the Gators' two Emmanuels (Serrano and Jimenez) for his first goal in a SF State uniform.
Cal State East Bay saw its chance to tie match be stopped by the Gators' Jimenez in the 72
nd minute on a ball from Jesus Ocegueda.
Five minutes later, the Gators sealed the win as
James Aguirre scored off a ball from
Nolan Parker as SF State increased its lead to 3-1.
The Pioneers had three chances to cut into the Gators lead, but two were stopped by Jimenez and one went wide left.
SF State will end its three-match road trip one week from today in Seaside, Calif., for a 11:30am starting conference match with the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters.
Box Score ------
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.
Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
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