LOS ANGELES — Looking to gain valuable experience and the opportunity to see what it takes to be at the top of NCAA Division I soccer, the CSUB men's side took on No. 19 UCLA Sunday, eventually falling 2-0 to the Bruins on the North Athletic Field.
With a handful of bumps and bruises hold out a quartet of players through the preseason exhibition matches, the Roadrunners suited just 16, but managed to hold their own against the Bruins, who are preseason No. 19 in the nation and picked second in the Pac-10.
The Bruins got on the board in the 24th minute when Kyle Nakazawa scored from the edge of the six following a scramble in the CSUB box. Keeper Eric Shannon successfully blocked shots by Eder Arreola and Danny Suits, but the Roadrunner defense was unable to clear the ball, allowing Nakazawa the third shot opportunity, and the goal.
Bakersfield challenged with a trio of chances late in the half, the first a result of a free kick from 30 yards out. Chico Ruesga curled the free ball towards the far post where Alberto Navarro headed it back across the goalmouth. Oscar Coppieters attempted a bicycle kick, but didn't make solid contact with the ball and UCLA keeper Brian Perk was able to come up with the save.
Jesus Sanchez had a shot go wide of the goal and Uddie Garcia's free kick from outside the top of the box was saved by Perk.
A goal by Dakota Collins in the 61st minute game the Bruins a 2-0 lead. UCLA's Amobi Okugo broke up a CSUB pass in the midfield and immediately pushed the ball forward to Collins who beat Shannon one-on-one to the near post.
CSUB finished with six shots, including two by Coppieters, and totalled three on goal. Shannon made four saves on the Bruins' 13 shots.
The Roadrunners conclude exhibition play on Wednesday at 4 p.m., with a trip to Turlock to take on former CCAA rival Cal State Stanislaus. Regular-season action gets under way September 1 when CSUB travels to take on Big West foe UC Santa Barbara.
CSU Bakersfield vs. UCLA
Date: Aug 23, 2009 Attendance: 283
Weather: Sunny, Warm
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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CSU Bakersfield..... 0 0 - 0
UCLA................ 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 23:01 UCLA Nakazawa, Kyle (1) (unassisted) - low liner to right corner following loose ball in the box
2. 60:54 UCLA Collins, Dakota (1) (Okugo, Amobi) - Right-footed shot to right corner following through ball
Shots: CSU Bakersfield 6, UCLA 13
Saves: CSU Bakersfield 4 (SHANNON, Eric 4), UCLA 3 (Perk, Brian 2; Rowe, Brian 1)
Exhibition Match
