ARCATA, Calif. – Dominican men's soccer pulled away for a 3-1 victory over Cal State East Bay to open its season Friday at the Humboldt Kickoff Classic at College Creek Field.
The teams were even on the stat sheet with 16 shots apiece with the Penguins (1-0) holding a narrow 7-6 advantage in shots on goal and taking advantage of their quality chances.
Alejandro Reyes made five saves in net for Dominican to earn the 24th victory of his career to further distance himself from second on the program's career record book.
The Penguins struck first in the 36th minute as a corner found the foot of
Armando Jimenez whose shot was deflected off the crossbar by the keeper but fell to the foot of
Eric Reis who knocked it off the post and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers tied the match in the 57th minute as Aaron Farnan took a ball inside the left side of the box and beat the keeper far post to make it 1-1.
Brandon Selway wasted no time in trying to hand the lead back to Dominican as he headed a free kick towards the frame one minute later, but it glanced off the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Chris Mendez-Lemus headed an errant pass out of the air to a teammate in his attacking third to give the Penguins a numbers advantage in the 64th minute. The Penguins worked their way into the box until
Patrick Zamora Salazar shook off a defender on his back with a turn towards the endline and beat the keeper near post for the 2-1 lead.
Lex Bernier looked to add to the lead in the 74th minute as he sent a curling shot from the top of the box towards the top-right corner, but it glanced off the post and out for a goal kick. Another dangerous Dominican attack drew a penalty kick and Bernier stepped to the spot and buried his shot into the right side for the 3-1 lead.
East Bay only managed one more clean look at goal but Reyes gathered in the shot off a free kick to preserve the lead and secure the victory in net.
Dominican will finish off its opening weekend Sunday at the Humboldt Kickoff Classic by taking on the host, Cal Poly Humboldt, at 2 p.m. PDT at College Creek Field.
