BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Cal State Bakersfield was clearly outplayed in the first half of a non-conference match against NAIA powerhouse Fresno Pacific on Monday at the Main Soccer Field and a big result appeared imminent for the Sunbirds.
But that's exactly why both halves must be played.
Bakersfield scored three brilliant second-half goals and was clearly the better team for the second 45 minutes as the Roadrunners improved to 2-0-0 on the season with a 4-1 win over Fresno Pacific.
Was Bakersfield really three goals better than Fresno Pacific? Maybe not. But the Roadrunners did three things that are essential to beating the Sunbirds: Be creative offensively, convert on opportunities, and shut down Fresno Pacific superstar Amaury Nunes.
Bakersfield showed some great creativity on the offensive side of the ball, and maybe the best of it came from sophomore Ryan Gay. He assisted the first two goals to bring the Roadrunners back from looking nearly finished to taking a one-goal lead.
Gay sent in a perfect corner kick with less than two minutes remaining in the first half to steal back a goal and head to the break level at 1-1 when T.J. Brown rose above the defense and headed the ball inside the far post for the equalizer. Gay helped give Bakersfield a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute when he turned his defender and crushed a shot off the post where Towa Manda was waiting and finished for the lead.
At that point, it was time for Bakersfield's Mannys to take over. Manny Garcia completed some impressive possession in the Roadrunners attacking third where Javier Barba and Joe Polifroni played a quick one-two and sent in a cross where Garcia finished back across the goal to make it 3-1.
Manny Guzman finished the scoring with a 20-yard strike into the corner on an assist from Mike Esparza.
While Bakersfield didn't completely shut down the Brazilian Nunes, who scored Fresno Pacific's goal, keeping him to that one goal was impressive enough. He has scored 19 and 17 goals in the past two seasons respectively.
CSUB will look to start the season at 3-0-0 for the first time in three seasons on Wednesday when the Roadrunners face another NAIA power in Concordia-Irvine. The women kick off at 5 p.m. followed by the men at 7 p.m.
California State University, Bakersfield Athletic Department
9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Phone: (661) 654-3071 • FAX: (661) 654-2376
