BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSUB women's soccer team returned to the Main Soccer Field for the first time in a month and gave Roadrunner fans their money's worth with an entertaining 1–1 draw against highly–regarded Pepperdine Sunday night.

“This was an important result,” said CSUB Head Coach Nicole Van Dyke. “Pepperdine is an excellent team coming off a good win against UCLA. This shows that we can play with top teams and even score goals. It was nice being home and I feel that we showed the fans and ourselves how much we have grown over the last six games.”

With Pepperdine (7–3–3) coming off its 1–0 win at UCLA Friday, CSUB (3–4–4) figured to have its hands full. And the Roadrunner defense was up to the challenge early, parrying Pepperdine's early pressure without exposing goalkeeper Kym Gause to much danger.

It took awhile for the 'Runner offense to find its gear, but when it did, the result was a highlight reel goal that gave CSUB a 1–0 lead just past the half hour. Junior forward Kassi Massey (Stockdale HS) made a darting run down the middle of the park before laying the ball off to Bakersfield High product Sam Peña, who continued the run into the right side of the penalty area. Peña's finish proved more than equal to the buildup as she curled her second goal of the season comfortably inside the far post.

“The goal was a brilliant execution of a great buildup,” said Van Dyke. “Kassi hasn't scored a goal yet, but her ability to wear down defenders makes her such an important player. Her assist on the goal was a brilliant ball to Sam and Sam made a great run and hit a brilliant strike on goal.”

The Waves continued to build offensive momentum into the early part of the second half before they would finally equalize in workman like fashion. Just past the hour, Ana Pontes sent a high cross into the box which Gause handled cleanly at first. But a physical Pepperdine presence knocked Gause down—and jarred the ball free—and Anisa Guardo roofed the gift from point blank range.

Pepperdine had a golden opportunity to take the game by the throat 90 seconds later when a Wave going down in the box drew a penalty. Michelle Spacciapolli took the spot kick but curled her low shot harmlessly outside the left post.

The final 47 minutes proved the most evenly played and exciting of the night, with end to end action creating danger for both teams. Pepperdine had the best chance to grab the winner early in the first overtime when Michelle Manning hit the crossbar from the left flank.

Sunday's tie leaves CSUB at 2–1–2 over its last five matches heading into Thursday night's Valley Cup match with Central Valley rival Fresno State. CSUB won the inaugural Valley Cup in 2008 before Fresno State took the cup back last season.

“We are a better than .500 team and we showed that by competing with Pepperdine and keeping .500 within reach. We are excited for the Valley Cup and hope to take the cup back”

 Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot
 -------------------------------------
 Pepperdine Univ.....  0  1  0  0 -  1
 CSU Bakersfield.....  1  0  0  0 -  1

 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  31:12 CSUB PENA, Sam (2) (MASSEY, Kassi) - tucked inside far post after great run
  2.  62:26 PEP GUAJARDO, Anisa (5) (PONTES, Ana) - Bowls over GK and roofs loose ball

 Shots: Pepperdine Univ. 21, CSU Bakersfield 10
 Saves: Pepperdine Univ. 6 (BARKER, Roxanne 6), CSU Bakersfield 6 (GAUSE, Kym 6)