After a hard earned victory over Cal State San Marcos on Sept. 27 the Pioneers headed back home on Sept. 30 to face the number one team in their division this season, the Cal State Stanislaus Warriors.

CSUS started off strong with a few shots on goal, but Pioneer senior goalkeeper Adrian Topete stopped each attempt. Topete’s blocks didn’t stop Stanislaus efforts though; by the end of the game the Pioneers fell in overtime 3-2.

CSUEB defended well and held the Stanislaus forwards from the beginning of the match.

After five shots were saved, one of the newcomers, freshman Kevin Perez got his first goal of the season on the first shot of the game. At the end of the first half, the Pioneers led by a goal, 1-0.

Immediately after the whistle for the second half the Warriors were back on the attack and within the first five minutes of the second half they tied the game 1-1 on a goal by forward Ryan Chaney.

Five minutes later, the Pioneers took back the lead at 2-1 with a goal from freshman Kalle Sjogrell when his shot was deflected off of the Warriors’ goalkeeper Russ Klabough.

The second goal had the Pioneers pumped up. CSUEB made clean tackles throughout the game, resulting in less fouls than their opponents. Pioneers junior defender Steffan Sauer had one of his best games yet, with precise tackles and passes throughout the game; he was a playmaker in both halves but unfortunately the CSUEB forwards failed to capitalize on those chances.

In the 81st minute the Warriors sent a pass from over 20 yards out to Stanislaus forward Josue Barajas who chipped in a shot to tie the game 2-2.

The game was tied until the end of regulation, which forced the overtime session. Within the first 16 seconds of overtime, Warriors forward Manny Villegas, scored the game winner.

This was the third overtime loss of the season for CSUEB.