BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield gave itself a shot at a .500 record for the first time since the 2000 season after a 2-1 win over Cal State San Bernardino at the Main Soccer Field on Friday.
The Roadrunners currently sit at 7-8-4 overall and can earn their eighth win of the season and end the year at 8-8-4 with a win over Cal Poly Pomona in the season finale on Sunday at the Main Soccer Field.
But this win was hardly easy. Playing a Coyote squad that hadn't won in 16 matches, Bakersfield was facing an extremely hungry team.
It appeared that things would continue to go south for San Bernardino when CCAA-leading goal scorer
Taylar Sklar scored her 14th of the season less than seven minutes into the match.
Elizabeth White sent a ball over the Coyote defense and Sklar did well to loft the ball over San Bernardino goalkeeper Shawna-Rei Kam's head and into the goal.
That's when the match started to become more physical. Referee Tino Younger was forced to call 34 fouls with seven yellow cards, but few were on dirty plays. Both teams were simply hungry for the win.
San Bernardino came out in the second half and went at Bakersfield and finally scored their first goal in more than four matches in the 61st minute. Amanda Murchey sent in a cross from the right side that Krista Feer was able to touch to the far post where Martha Alfaro was waiting for the simple finish and the equalizer.
But Bakersfield came back and earned the win when
Moriah Neville scored her ninth goal of the year.
Katie Dunn hit a free kick from 45 yards out to the far post and Neville met the ball and sent it back to the near post with her head for the game-winner.
The shots ended up equal with each team taking 15 on the night, but Bakersfield outshot the Coyotes 9-2 in the first half before San Bernardino outshot the Roadrunners 13-6 in the second.
Bakersfield goalkeeper
Ashley Witten made four saves in the win while Kam made three saves but took the loss.
The Roadrunners will shoot for that .500 record on Sunday at noon against Cal Poly Pomona.
