HAYWARD, Calif. - Cal State East Bay women's soccer poured in five second half goals in Thursday's season and home opener in earning a shutout victory over Fresno Pacific. Ariana Gordon, Megan Ravenscroft, Rachel Armstrong, Janelle Herrera, and Kianna Lamont each scored in the win.

Gordon scored the game-winner within the second minute out of halftime. The goals came fast and furious soon after as Ravenscroft, Armstrong, and Herrera scored within a 130-second span just before the hour mark.

"I think that first goal opened up the flood gates," said Gordon on her game-winner. "It was a good build up. Rachel Robbert gave me a really good ball and there was nobody (defending) me. I told myself if I'm open, I need to take shots…I did, and the first one of the half went in."

Cal State East Bay (1-0-0) constantly threatened to score from close range in the second half. The Pioneers scored back-to-back goals from inside the 6-yard box as Ravenscroft put away a loose ball in the 55th minute, and Armstrong blasted home the rebound off a saved shot from her teammate Gordon in the 57th minute.

A pair of freshmen scored the final two goals with Janelle Herrera capping off the run of three scores in just more than two minutes time. A free kick from center goal and a few yards inside the opposing half of midfield, Herrera's strike was tipped but not redirected enough to keep it from its intended target.

Kianna Lamont, who subbed in for Herrera in the 63rd minute, scored in her collegiate debut in the 84th minute. Amidst a crowd of players she shoved the ball past the goal line near the left post for the score.

Six different Pioneers made their team debut in the starting lineup. Goalkeeper Selena Braun earned the win making three saves in nearly 78 minutes of action. Teammate Lia Unterholzner finished out the contest as the pair combined for the shutout victory.

Cal State East Bay outshot Fresno Pacific (0-1-0) 17-6 overall including a 12-4 margin in the second half. Reserve Rachelle Schiller led the Sunbirds attempting two shots. Starting goaltender Summer Hammond made two saves in the loss.

"It was a great team win. We're still coming together as a team and I'm happy with our effort," praised Coach Gerace. "We're taking it one game at a time recognizing that we have a competitive schedule."

Next up on the schedule is a home meeting with Notre Dame de Namur (1-0-0) on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.

East Bay Athletics Twitter: https://twitter.com/CSUEBathletics
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