ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The CSUB men's soccer team held a 1-0 lead for nearly 57 minutes, but a New Mexico strike in the final minute of regulation forced extra time and the Lobos tallied the game-winner 8:30 into OT, for a 2-1 win over the Roadrunners Sunday.
Coming off a 3-1 win over UNLV on Friday, Bakersfield was looking for a road sweep in it's opening weekend of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play, but settled for a 1-1 performance, and now hold a 6-4-2 overall record. New Mexico, which was ranked No. 14 in this week's NCAA Division I RPI poll, improves to 8-4-0 overall and 2-0-0 in MPSF action.
Alberto Navarro connected on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute of play after Robbie Gouk was taken down the Lobos' penalty box to give CSUB the 1-0 lead.
As time dwindled in the second half, New Mexico pounded the Roadrunners' defense, recording a 16-5 shot advantage during the period. CSUB goalkeeper Eric Shannon came up with five saves and his defensive line cleared two balls off the line, working to preserve the narrow margin.
Following a save of a shot by Josh Caffey with 50 seconds remaining, Shannon punted the ball down field, but New Mexico won the 50-50 ball and worked it quickly back into the mix where Justin Davis was able to feed Stephen Brown for a one-touch shot into the net.
With the momentum suddenly in their favor, the Lobos were able to complete the comeback at the 98:36 mark when Davis took a long ball from Euan Holden and beat Shannon one-one for the game-winner.
New Mexico finished the match with a 26-14 shot advantage and a 13-5 edge in corner kicks.
The Roadrunner bench was forced to step up after starting defender Peter Carlson and starting midfielder Kory Kindle were both sidelined by injury early in the first half.
Bakersfield returns home this weekend to host a pair of MPSF contests. Friday features a match-up against San Jose State at 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday 1 p.m. matinee face-off against Sacramento State.
CSU Bakersfield (6-4-2) vs. New Mexico (8-4-0)
Date: Oct 18, 2009 Attendance: 1745
Weather: Sunny, temps in the high 60's
Goals by period 1 2 OT Tot
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CSU Bakersfield..... 1 0 0 - 1
New Mexico.......... 0 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 32:42 CSUB Alberto Navarro (2) Penalty kick
2. 89:22 NM Stephen Brown (3) (Justin Davis) - One timed it off of pass in box
3. 98:36 NM Justin Davis (5) (Euan Holden) - Took long ball and beat keeper one-on-one
Shots: CSU Bakersfield 14, New Mexico 26
Saves: CSU Bakersfield 8 (Eric Shannon 6; TEAM 2), New Mexico 3 (Justin Fite 3)
