BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? Possession may be nine?tenths of the law, but it is virtually meaningless in soccer unless it translates into goals. That was the lesson learned by the CSUB men's soccer team Tuesday night in a 2?2 draw with The Master's College on the Main Soccer Field.
Junior forward Towa Manda scored twice for Bakersfield (2?3?2 overall), although both goals came as the result of quick strikes and not the gradual build up that marked CSUB's play throughout the match. TMC (4?0?3), meanwhile, scored quick goals of its own to answer each of CSUB's scores.
Manda gave the Roadrunners a 1?0 lead in the 14th minute when he beat Mustang goalkeeper Kevin Lawson to a ball at the top of the box and Lawson brought him down to prevent the goal. Manda buried the ensuing penalty kick.
But former 'Runner Fabio Joaquim, who transferred to TMC this season, equalized on a penalty 36 second into the second half when 'Runner defender T.J. Brown handled a long pass in the CSUB box.
It took Bakersfield just 11 minutes to respond. This time, freshman midfielder Peter Carlson played a quick ball over the top to Manda, who roofed his second goal of the match past a hard?charging Lawson, who had no real chance to make the save.
With a 2?1 lead, time winding down, and the 'Runners holding a disproportionate share of the possession, a Bakersfield win seemed inevitable. The Mustangs pressed forward, however, and threatened to tie the game in the 80th minute when CSUB goalkeeper Steve Trojanowski denied a strong Joe Barnes header from close range and the 'Runner defense cleared Justin Mohrig's follow up attempt off the line for a corner.
But that corner proved costly as Andy Hegg put Jacob Marchesani's pass past Trojanowski to tie the match.
The Mustang's turned the tables on Bakersfield in the first overtime, earning four corners while keeping solid pressure on the 'Runner defense. CSUB regained its composure in the second overtime, but once again could not translate it tactical advantage into the winning goal.
Bakersfield will hit the road for seven consecutive matches, beginning Friday at UC Riverside. The Master's College returns home to host Biola University Saturday afternoon.
