Box Score PHOENIX, Ariz.--The Bakersfield men's soccer team got goals from Joe Masumiya (R-Jr., Lakewood, Calif., Lakewood HS) and Jonathan Colunga (Fr., Lindsay, Calif., Lindsay HS) as the Roadrunners defeated Grand Canyon 2-1 in Western Athletic Conference men's soccer action Friday night.
Masumiya gave Bakersfield (7-7-2, 5-2-1 WAC) a 1-0 lead when he scored off a Mario Ortiz (Fr., Los Angeles, Calif., Leuzinger HS) pass in the 33rd minute. Colunga tallied a goal for the third consecutive match when he put in a David Velasquez (R-Jr., Los Angeles, Calif., Locke HS) pass at 75:53. Less than a minute later the Antelopes' Courage Chirandu's long ball went past the 'Runner defense to make it a one goal game.
Both defense clamped down in the final 10 minutes as Grand Canyon (2-11-1, 1-6 WAC) took the only two shots including an Adam Finnefrock attempt that went wide with 54 seconds to go. The Antelopes outshot the 'Runners 18-10, but it was 6-6 with shots on goal. The Antelopes had 5-2 corner kick advantage. Bakersfield goalie Anthony Perez (R-So., Fontana, Calif., Bloomington HS) made five saves to get his fifth win of the year.
The Roadrunner victory combined with Seattle U tying Houston Baptist 1-1 in Houston Friday night, Bakersfield (16) moves to within two points of first place in the WAC. All seven eligible teams qualify for the league tournament, but the No. 1 seed gets a first round bye.
"We played very well in the first half, but the second half was a scrappy affair," said Bakersfield head coach Simon Tobin. "We are pleased with the winand keeping the momentum as the crunch time of hte season beckons."
The Roadrunners head to Air Force Sunday for a 1 p.m. (MST) start.
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