Cup Captured; Roadrunners Defeat Bulldogs, 2?1

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The CSUB women's soccer team beat the Fresno State Bulldogs for first time in program history Friday evening, 2?1, on the Main Soccer Field. The victory also awarded the ?Runners the newly installed Valley Cup, which will be presented to the winner of the annual matchup between the two schools.

CSUB (2?1 overall) struck early as freshman Kassi Massey (Bakersfield/Stockdale HS) scored in the seventh minute off a pass from senior captain Jackie Torvestad (San Francisco/San Marin HS). Torvestad sent a long ball into Massey who broke free and beat Fresno State keeper Kaitlyn Revel to the top right post. Massey was looking for another point in the 68th minute as she sent a cross into the Bulldog's box. Goalkeeper Chrissy Smith, who replaced Revel at the half, punched the ball out but it hit one of her defenders and rolled into the back of the net for an own goal.

Fresno State (0?3 overall) did not go away however, netting a goal in the 88th minute from Molly Nizzoli to trim the lead in half. Another furious run by the Bulldogs however came up empty and the ?Runners were able to watch the scoreboard tick down to zero.

“We are really happy for the win and to be able to keep the Valley Cup here in Bakersfield,” Head Coach Nicole Van Dyke said after the game. “We continue to set the standard of play here on our home field. We had a couple patchy spots and missed some opportunities but I'm super proud of the way our players continue to come out hard and work their tails off.”

The Bulldogs outshot the ?Runners, 13?10, but CSUB held the advantage in shots on goal, 7?4. Massey finished with a game-high four shots while fellow first year player Sarina Coutin (Saugus/Hart HS) had three.

“Massey ran for every second out there tonight and turned in a great effort for us,” Van Dyke added.

Freshman keeper Marina Constantinou made three saves in goal for the ?Runners and had a couple of nice breakups in the box. Revel finished with two saves for the Bulldogs and Smith had three.

CSUB is back in action Sunday as the ?Runners take on the Madators of Cal State Northridge at 7 p.m. on the Main Soccer Field.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#1 Marina Constantinou: GK; 5' 7"; Freshman

#2 Sarina Coutin: F; 5' 3"; Freshman

#9 Kassi Massey: F; 5' 3"; Freshman

#12 Jackie Torvestad: D; 5' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#1 Marina Constantinou
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: GK

#2 Sarina Coutin
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: F

#9 Kassi Massey
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: F

#12 Jackie Torvestad
: 5' 5"; Senior
: D