ALAMEDA -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team rallied twice from one-goal deficits, but could not overcome a third Cal State East Bay goal on Friday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest.
The Golden Eagles erased 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, but surrendered the game-winner in the 74th minute of a 3-2 loss to the Pioneers at the UCSF Health Oakland Roots and Soul Performance Center. Cal State LA (6-2-4, 3-2 CCAA) dropped its second straight road contest and was unable to build momentum from a big weekend at home last week. Cal State East Bay (4-4-3, 2-1-2 CCAA) bounced back nicely from a 5-3 loss at Cal State San Marcos in its last game.
Cal State LA got goals from
Johnny Gonzalez and
Andreas Christou, but Alejandro Zarate scored a pair of goals, including what turned out to be the game-winner in the 74th minute. The Golden Eagles hadn't surrendered more than two goals in a game this season until Friday.
Brayden McClelland made four saves in goal for the Golden Eagles, while Adan Corona made four saves for the Pioneers.
Cal State LA had a 13-11 advantage in shots, including a 10-3 edge in the second half. The Golden Eagles also had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game when Zarate scored his first of the game with an assist from Jonas Banouas.
Gonzalez, though, got the Golden Eagles on the board less than six minutes later when he scored the first goal of his Cal State LA career. Following a Cal State East Bay turnover deep in the zone, Christou sent a beautiful pass to Gonzalez, who fired to the far post for the equalizer.
The Pioneers, though, regained the lead just minutes later on a goal by Kiichi Murakami with an assist from Andres Garcia-Diaz.
Cal State LA was outshot, 8-3, in the first half with McClelland making three of his four saves in the first 45 minutes.
The Golden Eagles were awarded a penalty shot after a handball in the box and Christou converted in the 68th minute for his second goal of the season.
Just six minutes later, the Pioneers took the lead again on Zarate's second goal of the game and sixth of the season.
Cal State LA will return to action with a home game against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sunday at 7 p.m.
