RIVERSIDE, Calif.--CSU Bakersfield fell 2-1 to UC Riverside in the 2012 women's soccer season opener Friday night.
After a scoreless first half, Crystal Lopez took advantage of a CSUB giveaway to score in the 72nd minute. Celina Valencia made it 2-0 in the 78th minute. Freshman Joanna Ortiz (Manteca, Calif., Sierra HS) took an Erica Shelton (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., UC Santa Barabara) pass and converted a chip over the UCR goalie with 6:48 remaining. The Roadrunners continued to press.
Alexandra Lindberg (Fr., Stockholm, Sweden, Solna Gymnasium) took a shot that hit the crossbar with 48 seconds to go, Tyler Shirk (Jr., Monrovia, Calif., Monrovia HS) appeared to have tied the game with the rebound of the shot, but she was ruled offsides.
The Roadrunners held a 15-12 advantage in shots and had three more corner kicks (6-3) than the Highlanders.
"We gave a valiant effort and showed a tremendous amount of character after going down a pair of goals," said CSUB head coach Melissa Phillips. "It is unfortunate to have such a momentary lapse in our play result in a loss. This is a very promising group that is now looking towards Sunday."
What CSUB is looking forward to on Sunday is a match at Cal Poly beginning at 12 p.m.
~www.GoRunners.com~
