BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Junior goalkeeper Kym Gause made two consecutive saves in a penalty kick shootout as the CSUB women's soccer team won back the Valley Cup from rival Fresno State Thursday night on the CSUB Main Soccer Field.

The teams played to a scoreless draw — the official outcome of the match — bringing it to penalties to determine who would earn the Cup this season. Gause dove right to deny both Vanessa Gonzalez and Nicole Duff, leading CSUB to a 3–1 win in the shootout.

“In the end, we won the valley cup on penalties which is a great accomplishment so I am proud of the that,” says CSUB Head Coach Nicole Van Dyke. “It's nice to have bragging rights for the year and to have the trophy. It was also nice to see a large crowd who were all pretty into the game.”

The match showcased somewhat contrasting styles, with CSUB pressing forward and rolling to a 17–10 shot advantage for the night. Fresno State, meanwhile, played a more counterattacking style, and though outshot, arguably created the more dangerous chances.

Neither Gause nor Fresno State goalkeeper Chrissy Smith were forced to make a critical save Thursday as the best chances for each team didn't find the frame. Gause ended the night with two saves while Smith made four pedestrian stops for her first clean sheet of the season.

Fresno State's closest shot came from junior Kendall VanDine, who ripped a curling 30–yard blast just over the crossbar in the closing seconds of the first half. CSUB's Faith Perry had a close–range shot blocked with 15 minutes remaining in regulation to deny the Roadrunners their best chance to win.

CSUB sophomore Raquel Gervais opened the shootout by ramming one inside the left post before Fresno State equalized when VanDine mirrored that effort. Jessica Fogeltanz also went left and scored to put CSUB ahead 2–1.

The 'Runners kept the lead when Fresno's Krissy Looney guessed correctly only to send her potential equalizer outside the right post. With a chance to take the shootout by the scruff of the neck, CSUB captain Leanne Tucker put her attempt over the crossbar.

All that miss did was set the stage for Gause to play the role of hero. She smothered Gonzalez's attempt to keep CSUB in front. After Kassi Massey tucked her effort inside the right post, Gause guessed right again to deny Duff and bring the Cup back to Bakersfield.

“I know the team I have and I know they were a bit disappointed with a draw tonight. That alone shows our spirit and or constant will to win,” says Van Dyke. “They played well enough to win. Lets hope our offense kicks into 5th gear on Tuesday against Hawaii.”

With the tie, CSUB (3–4–5 overall) has just one loss in its last six matches. The 'Runners will try to keep their successful run going, hosting their second consecutive Western Athletic Conference foe Tuesday when Hawaii visits the Main Soccer Field.

 Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot
 -------------------------------------
 Fresno State........  0  0  0  0 -  0
 CSU Bakersfield.....  0  0  0  0 -  0

 SCORING SUMMARY:

 Shots: Fresno State 10, CSU Bakersfield 17
 Saves: Fresno State 4 (SMITH, Chrissy 4), CSU Bakersfield 2 (GAUSE, Kym 2)