Strong Defense, Timely Offense Lead ?Runners to Comeback Win

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - After falling behind early in the first half, the CSUB women's soccer team scored two unanswered goals and held off a late charge to beat the Cal Poly Mustangs, 2–1, Sunday evening on the Main Soccer Field. The win moves the Roadrunners' record to an even 3–3–0 while Cal Poly drops to 1–3–0.

Cal Poly took advantage of an early Roadrunner misclear in the third minute of play as a shot from Morgan Miller was saved but the rebound found its way to Monica Hemenez's foot at the right post and she beat CSUB goalkeeper Kym Gause (Manteca/Modesto JC) to the left side.

Freshman midfielder Sam Peña (Bakersfield HS) evened the match at 1–1 with her second goal of the season in the 29th minute. Peña took a pass from sophomore Veronica Ramos (Walnut HS) and curled a shot past goalkeeper Brooke Gauvin and into the top left corner of the goal.

CSUB would capture the lead for good in the 42nd minute as junior Faith Perry (Glendora HS) curled in a shot from outside the box and found the inside far post. Freshman Kiri Christensen (Valby, Denmark/Kobenhavns Aabne Gymnasium) was credited with the assist.

In the second half, Cal Poly's best chance came in the 76th minute as Cici Kobinski got free in the box and fired a low shot to the far post. Gause reacted quickly and made a fantastic diving save, securing the lead and ultimately the win. Gause finished her evening with a new season high of nine saves.

“I thought both teams were very even out there,” Head Coach Nicole Van Dyke said. “Cal Poly is a good team and we really had to compete well tonight to beat them. I thought we did a great job of capitalizing on our scoring opportunities and that was the difference. Having both of our goal scorers come off the bench just shows us that we are getting much deeper at each position, something we have been trying to build throughout the season.”

The Mustangs and the Roadrunners each had 16 shots in the match. Cal Poly earned 10 corner kicks to CSUB's one.

Sophomore Jamie Havelin (Valencia/Saugus HS) came off the bench and provided an immediate spark to the Roadrunner back line.

“Jamie came off the bench and did an exceptional job,” Van Dyke commented. “Without a doubt, it was one of her best games of the season.”

CSUB returns to the Main Soccer Field on Friday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m. against Eastern Washington. That game will be immediately by the men's home opener against UC Riverside. For ticket information, call (661) 654-BLUE.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Kiri Christensen: MF; 5' 8"; Freshman

#0 Kym Gause: GK; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#23 Jamie Havelin: D; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#22 Faith Perry: MF; 5' 3"; Junior

#11 Sam Pe?a: MF; 5' 5"; Freshman

#7 Veronica Ramos: MF; 5' 1"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#19 Kiri Christensen
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: MF

#0 Kym Gause
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: GK

#23 Jamie Havelin
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: D

#22 Faith Perry
: 5' 3"; Junior
: MF

#11 Sam Pe?a
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: MF

#7 Veronica Ramos
: 5' 1"; Sophomore
: MF