BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Senior forward Taylar Sklar scored early, often—and quickly—as the Cal State Bakersfield women's soccer team got the second Nicole Van Dyke era off to a smashing start with a 5–0 victory over The Master's College Saturday night on the CSUB Main Soccer Field.
Van Dyke, one of the most prolific scorers in Roadrunner history, won her Roadrunner coaching debut with the help of a player who tied one of her scoring records and set another school record Saturday. Sklar equaled Van Dyke's school–record four goals Saturday night, netting a natural hat trick in the first half before capping the scoring with her fourth 2:16 into the second half.
Sklar got the ball rolling quickly, carrying Carli Godard's short through ball 30 yards before beating Mustang goalkeeper Leticia Peña one–in–one. She then established a school record when she added her second goal just 34 seconds later by mirroring her first effort from Deena Plach's chipped through ball.
Bakersfield controlled both possession and tempo throughout the first half. The Roadrunners put the game away with another quick pair of goals midway through the first half. Sklar started that brace when she backheeled home Moriah Neville's flick of a Godard corner in the 27th minute. Neville closed the first–half scoring by making a long run astride a defender following a short pass from Jessica Cedillos near midfield.
Sklar finished her blitzkrieg two minutes into the second half when she tapped home a flick from Hollie Affentranger.
The Master's College got progressively more dangerous when Head Coach Allen Bowden pushed senior sweeper Teschia Fishburn into the midfield in the second half. The extra possession she helped win created several chances for senior forward Lindsay Smith, though none found the frame.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Witten got the start and the win for Bakersfield. Junior Kayleigh Peaker spelled Witten and kept the sheet clean with a spotless second half.
Bakersfield returns to action Monday evening when it hosts Fresno Pacific University at 5 p.m. It will open men's/women's doubleheader action. The Master's will host Kansas Wesleyan Friday at 5 p.m.
