The Cal State East Bay women’s soccer team defeated visiting Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday with a final of 3-1.

The victory uplifts the Pioneers to 5-4-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play just about halfway through the season.

Senior forward Rachel Armstrong scored two goals in the triumph over the Otters with senior forward Alyssa Rodriguez scoring the other goal for CSUEB.

“After our game with Sonoma we had more confidence because we played well against them,” Armstrong said. “We were ready to take on any team.”

That is exactly what the Pioneers did despite trailing early in the match. CSUMB forward Regan Porteous found the back of the net early on a breakaway at the 18 minute mark putting the Otters up 1-0 early.

“It felt good, it felt really good,” Porteous said of her goal.

In the 29th minute Armstrong was able to head in a cross kick from senior Sara Yamasaki to tie the game at one.

“I didn’t think I was going to score because I had a weird angle and it barely touched me but it went in,” Armstrong said.

Less than 10 minutes later at the 37-minute mark Armstrong used her head to score again this time on a free kick from freshman standout Janelle Herrera. It was her third goal and fifth assist of the season that allowed the Pioneers to take a 2-1 lead in to halftime.

At the 61-minute mark Rodriguez headed in a ball past Otters goalkeeper Samantha Webb with the assist credited to Andrea Hernandez and Megan Ravenscroft. The goal was the third of the season for Rodriguez and the second assist of the year for Hernandez and Ravenscroft.

“I’m so excited about this win today,” Coach Amy Gerace said. “I can’t wait to get back on the field with them and prepare for our trip to Southern California.”

Gerace was referring to the upcoming road trip for CSUEB, which has them playing four road games in just nine days before returning to Pioneer Stadium Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. to take on Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Junior goalkeeper Selena Braun was superb in net for the Pioneers amassing six saves while the Otters managed to shoot the ball 18 times.

CSUMB goalkeeper Webb allowed three goals on three shots by the Pioneers before being pulled by Coach Erin Reinke in favor of senior backup Lily Garza who did not allow a goal in 10 minutes of play.

Next up for CSUEB is the first game of the road trip against Cal Poly Pomona tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Kellogg Field.