OAKLAND, Calif. - #21 California State University San Bernardino men's soccer closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over Cal State East Bay Thursday afternoon at the Oakland Roots Training Facility, earning its 12th win, the program's most since 2019.
The Coyotes finish the regular season at 12-3-3 overall and 8-3-1 in CCAA play, securing second place with 25 points.
Senior forward Rafa Fonseca opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a brilliant solo run. Receiving a throw-in in CSUSB's own half, Fonseca turned and drove forward, taking on a defender before firing a left-footed strike into the upper-right corner for a 1-0 lead.
CSUSB controlled much of the first half, outshooting East Bay 13-4 with a 3-2 edge in shots on goal, but went into the break with just Fonseca's goal separating the teams.
The Yotes looked set to see out a 1-0 win until the Pioneers were awarded a penalty with six minutes remaining. East Bay converted from the spot to tie the match at 1-1.
Fonseca did not take long to answer. With 4:24 left, he finished into the lower-left corner off an assist from sophomore forward Nevin Rueegger to put CSUSB back in front. His second goal of the afternoon brought his team-leading total to nine, tied for fifth in the CCAA, and the Coyotes held on for the 2-1 victory.
In goal, fifth-year goalkeeper Donovan Palomares made four saves in 90 minutes to finish the regular season at 9-1-3. His six clean sheets rank second in the conference.
Next up, CSUSB returns to Premier Field to face seventh-seeded UC Merced in the CCAA Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, Nov. 1. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., marking the second straight year the Coyotes will host a playoff game.
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