BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Robbie Gouk scored back-to-back goals and Omar Heredia added one of his own all within a five-minute span as the CSUB men's soccer team claimed a 3-0 win over Denver in the season's home finale Sunday on the Main Soccer Field.
With the win the Roadrunners move to 8-6-2 overall and an even 3-3-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. They also secured at least a .500 record for the season, the first time they have achieved that feat since transitioning to Division I. Denver, meanwhile, fell to 3-9-3 overall and 0-4-1 in the MPSF.
Gouk got the scoring splurge going at the 16-minute mark, flicking a quick header past Pioneer goalkeeper Joe Willis on a cross from Omar Heredia. Just 3:32 later, Gouk struck again, this time heading in a cross from Joe Polifroni, who sent the ball in from the left flank. Polifroni and Ken Taylor, who combined to move the ball up the field, both earned assists on the goal.
Gouk nearly recorded a hat trick, when he blasted his third shot at Willis in the 22nd minute, but the Pioneer keeper was able to block the shot away. However, the ball came back out to the feet of Heredia, who one-touched it right back into the net for a 3-0 CSUB lead. Gouk was credited with the assist on the goal.
Denver had little answer for the Roadrunners in the first half and despite getting off five shots, only challenged CSUB goalie Eric Shannon twice in the half.
With the three-goal lead in the second half, CSUB's intensity level dropped, but Shannon came up with three saves in the period to maintain the shutout, his fifth of the season.
While the Roadrunners held a slight 10-8 shot advantage, they did give up a 10-2 edge on corner kicks, but Denver was unable to convert any of those into quality shot opportunities.
Bakersfield concludes the 2009 season on the road next week, traveling to MPSF opponent Seattle on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Denver (3-9-3, 0-4-1 MPSF) vs. CSU Bakersfield (8-6-2, 3-3-0 MPSF)
Date: Nov 01, 2009 Attendance: 174
Weather: sunny, mid 70s
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Denver.............. 0 0 - 0
CSU Bakersfield..... 3 0 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 16:00 CSUB Robbie Gouk (6) (Omar Heredia) - quick header nearpost off cross from right
2. 19:32 CSUB Robbie Gouk (7) (Joe Polifroni;Ken Taylor) - header from cross from left side
3. 21:20 CSUB Omar Heredia (2) (Robbie Gouk) - quick shot off rebound
Shots: Denver 8, CSU Bakersfield 10
Saves: Denver 2 (Joe Willis 2), CSU Bakersfield 5 (Eric Shannon 5)
