SANTA CLARA, Calif.--CSU Bakersfield (22-15) split two matches on Sunday at Santa Clara's The Bronco.

The Roadrunners defeated Sonoma State 9-5 in the opener. Leading 3-1 after one quarter, CSUB used a four-goal outburst in the second stanza to break the game open. A defensive struggle in the second half, freshman goalie Alex Bayer (Alta Loma, Calif., Los Osos HS) was up to the challenge, leading the Roadrunners with a total of 12 saves.

Jessica Browning (Jr., Lake Forest, Calif., El Toro HS)charted a hat trick and drew three exclusions. Bianca Adams (So., Ontario, Calif., St. Lucy's Priory HS) posted two goals while Shannon McKenzie (R-Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Rancho Cucamonga HS), the Division I leader in assists, dished out five dimes.

The tournament finale saw CSUB drop a 12-7 decision No. 19 UC San Diego. With the score tied at seven entering the fourth quarter, the Tritons took advantage of three power play opportunities to score five goals. McKenzie posted three assists as six different players scored including two from Amanda Nesbit (Jr., Chino Hills, Calif., Chino Hills HS). Bayer recorded 13 saves.

"We did a lot of good things (on Sunday)," said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. "We played shorthanded for most of the fourth quarter against UCSD and ran out of gas. We are prepared for our conference opponents at the conference tournament."

CSUB travels to No. 3 USC on Friday (at 5 p.m.) for the 2012 regular season finale.

~www.GoRunners.com~

CSU Bakersfield 9, Sonoma St. 5

CSUB Goals: Browning 3, Adams 2, Hill, Tsurnda, Pahoa, Hanson
SS Goals: Hummel (2), Del Carlo, Risden, Rangel
Saves: Bayer (CSUB) 8; Kemp (SS) 7

UCSD 12, CSU Bakersfield 7

CSUB Goals: Nesbit 2, Pahoa, Browning, McKenzie, Pavletich, Hanson
UCSD Goals: Bartow 3, Biehle 3, Lizotte 2, Brooks 2, Bates, Tran
Saves:   Bayer (CSUB) 13; Taylor (UCSD) 4