Box Score

HAYWARD, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's soccer team fell to Cal State East Bay, 5-0, at Pioneer Stadium Thursday to open the 2014 campaign. The Sunbirds battled early and entered halftime knotted at 0-0 before CSUEB pulled away in the second half to earn the win.
 
FPU drops to 0-1 on the season following the loss, while the Pioneers improve to 1-0.
 
"This was not the way we wanted to start the year," said head coach Erik Farfan. "If you don't play 90 minutes at this level, you will get beat and we learned that tonight. The good news is, we have plenty of chances to use this as a learning tool to get better and improve each day."
 
The Sunbirds opened with the contests' first shot that sailed high from Bianka Garcia only 46 seconds into the match. After CSUEB countered with a shot that missed wide right, FPU settled in at the back line and drew the Pioneers offside three times before the first half ended.
 
The contest entered the intermission tied at 0-0 following a blocked shot from FPU's Rachelle Schiller.
 
"We were pleased with the shutout in the first half, but we still feel like we want to provide more of an offensive threat on goal," said Farfan.
 
Despite the first half success on defense, CSUEB opened the second period with a goal from Ariana Gordon within the first two minutes to take a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers followed with three more scores to put the game out of reach and lead 4-0 before the 60-minute mark.
 
"We didn't execute the first 15 minutes of the second half and weren't able to stay organized, which allowed the floodgates to open after the first goal went in," said Farfan. "You have to credit Cal State East Bay for the way they played tonight. They created chances and converted."
 
CSUEB tallied a final score from Kianna Lamont in the closing minutes to make the final 5-0.
 
The Sunbirds were outshot 17-6 in the game, including a 9-3 margin on goal.

FPU goalkeeper Summer Hammond took the loss (0-1) and tallied two saves in 65 minutes, while Vanessa Escobar played the final 25 minutes with one save. The five goals allowed marked the most given up since Nov. 1, 2011 in a 6-0 loss to Point Loma. 
 
"Every game is important, so we aren't going to drop our heads. We are excited to get back on the field at home and turn the result from tonight into a different one," said Farfan.
 
FPU returns to the pitch on Monday, Sept. 8 to face UC Merced at 7:30 p.m. The match marks the home opener for the Sunbirds in 2014 at Ramirez Field.