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Roadrunners Upset No. 13 Toreros, 2?1

Women's Soccer CSU Bakersfield Athletic Communications

Roadrunners Upset No. 13 Toreros, 2?1


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -  The CSUB women's soccer team scored twice in under two minutes and took down the nation's 13th ranked team, the San Diego Toreros, Sunday evening at the Main Soccer Field, 2–1. The Roadrunners (2–0–0) made history, picking up the program's biggest Division I win to date and becoming the school's first transitioning team to beat a ranked Division I opponent. The Toreros (1–1–0) advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and were one of the preseason favorites in the West Coast Conference. Last season, USD handed the 'Runners a 3–0 defeat on the Main Soccer Field.

“It was a great weekend for us,” Head Coach Nicole Van Dyke said after the match. “We beat our first Big West team and WCC team. Tonight was a team effort where different players stepped up and helped us win games. Afterwards I told the girls, this is not the end of our season, this is just the beginning. I love their passion, fight and determination. They deserve the confidence they have gained from the weekend and we hope it carries over to next weekend's games and beyond.”

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half. San Diego had five of its eight first half shots covered up by CSUB keeper Kym Gause (Manteca/Modesto JC). CSUB managed just one shot in the opening 45 as the teams broke for halftime tied at 0–0.

Midway through the second half, the Toreros were awarded a free kick and after a failed CSUB clear, it was USD's Natalie Garcia who chipped the ball over the Roadrunner defense. The pass fell midway between the Toreros' Sierra Ferreira and Gause. Ferreira got there first and chipped the ball past the diving Gause and into the left corner of the goal, just passed the outstretched leg of Jamie Havelin (Valencia/Saugus HS).

Less than 20 second later off the restart, junior Denise Hernandez (Tulare/Fresno City College) was taken down inside the USD box, leading to a penalty kick. Van Dyke elected freshman Raquel Gervas (Upland HS) to take the kick. Gervas calmly stepped up and connected on a shot and put it past the diving arms of Courtney Parsons and into the left side of the net, tying the game, 1–1.

With a newfound confidence, the 'Runners continued to push forward. In the 71st minute, Havelin sent a ball from right of the box into the near post. Waiting there was classmate Kassi Massey (Bakersfield/Stockdale HS) who connected on the header, giving the Roadrunners the go–ahead strike.

Things got tense late in the match as San Diego continued to surge forward, in search of the tying marker. But every time the Toreros would close in, the CSUB defense was right there to clear the ball out. With under a minute remaining, CSUB was whistled for a foul, giving the Toreros a free kick. USD's goalkeeper Parsons stepped in to take the free kick but the 'Runners were able to control it and cleared in out past midfield as the final horn sounded.

Gause finished with eight saves as the Roadrunners moved to 2–0 for just the third time in school history (1999 & 2006).

The 'Runners got a first–class defensive performance from Hernandez, a player mostly known for her offensive abilities.

“Denise came on tonight and gave the team a solid defensive effort that really sparked our comeback.,” commented Van Dyke. “Kassi's goal was credit to her non-stop work throughout the contest. All in all, I am very proud of this team as it helped validate how much their hard work paid off.”

CSUB will look to continue its hot streak as it heads to the UNLV Tournament next weekend for a pair of games. The 'Runners will face the University of New Mexico on Friday, Aug. 28, at 4:30 p.m. and will then take on the host Rebels of UNLV on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Kym Gause

#0 Kym Gause

GK
5' 8"
Sophomore
Raquel Gervas

#2 Raquel Gervas

D
5' 4"
Freshman
Jamie Havelin

#23 Jamie Havelin

D
5' 5"
Sophomore
Denise Hernandez

#15 Denise Hernandez

F
5' 1"
Junior
Kassi Massey

#9 Kassi Massey

F
5' 4"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kym Gause

#0 Kym Gause

5' 8"
Sophomore
GK
Raquel Gervas

#2 Raquel Gervas

5' 4"
Freshman
D
Jamie Havelin

#23 Jamie Havelin

5' 5"
Sophomore
D
Denise Hernandez

#15 Denise Hernandez

5' 1"
Junior
F
Kassi Massey

#9 Kassi Massey

5' 4"
Sophomore
F
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