BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? In a match that was both close and fiercely contested early, red?hot Gonzaga University wore down injury?depleted CSUB to earn a 4?0 win Sunday afternoon on the CSUB Main Soccer Field in Bakersfield.
The Gonzaga goalkeeping tandem of Lauren Ames and Jessie Thalman combined for four saves and that was enough to make Sarah Hall's 25th?minute goal stand up. Nanda McCormick gave the Bulldogs breathing room four minutes after the interval when she finished Kelcey Goddard's corner kick. Christine Soma and Lacey Castleberry added insurance tallies midway through the second half.
CSUB actually controlled the run of play in the early going. But Bakersfield's chance at an early lead disappeared into Ames' arms when she just beat Roadrunner forward Alexa Vickroy to a bouncing ball at the top of the box in the seventh minute.
The 'Runners had a great chance to equalize in the 33rd minute when Faith Perry's corner kick found Moriah Neville alone on the doorstep. But Neville's volley attempt glanced off her shin and wide.
With the weather unseasonably warm and the 'Runner bench thin, Gonzaga took control. The Bulldogs got 272 minutes from their bench, including five shots and Casteleberry's 64th minute goal. By comparison, CSUB Head coach Nicole Van Dyke coaxed exactly 100 fewer minutes from her four reserves. The depth advantage helped Gonzaga own the majority of possession in the second half.
Sunday's match was the season finale for CSUB, which finished its first full season of NCAA Division I play 5?13?1 overall. Gonzaga (11?7?1) concludes its season at home versus Pepperdine Saturday.
