CHICAGO, Ill.-- With a goal and an assistant, Taylor Wheeler ( Jr., Fullerton, Calif., La Habra HS) was the offensive catalyst Bakersfield needed to claim a 3-1 victory over WAC foe Chicago State.

Just five minutes into the game, Wheeler picked up her first career goal as the defender put away a pass from Whitney Strong (R-So., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) and gave the 'Runners a 1-0 lead. Chicago State (1-12-1, 0-4-1 WAC) answered back in the 38th minute as Chloe Cain netted her first goal of the season and the Cougars rode a 1-1 tie into halftime.

The Roadrunners (2-12-1, 1-4 WAC) regained the lead at 57:32 when Wheeler slotted a pass for Maja Green (Fr., Falkoping, Sweden, Allebergsgymnasiet HS) who put away her second goal of the year. Sixteen minutes later, Bakersfield earned a penalty kick and Hedda Regefalk (So., Stockholm, Sweden, Blacksberg Gymnasium) finished the opportunity with her sixth goal of the season to give the 'Runners a 3-1 lead.

Bakersfield outshot Chicago State 18-4 with the three Bakersfield goal scorers contributing nearly half of the team's shots. With the victory, Bakersfield earned three vital points and leaped over Chicago State in the WAC standings. Currently sitting in seventh place, Bakersfield would be the last team into the WAC Tournament if the season ended today. With five games remaining in the regular season schedule, the 'Runners will need to produce more positive results to secure their spot in the postseason.

“We are delighted with the result, of course, and it's a big win on the road,” said Gary Curneen, Bakersfield's Head Coach. “I thought this was our best performance so far, in terms of passing and moving the ball, and we created some very good opportunities. It's always nice when you can combine a performance with a result, so hopefully we can create some momentum with this and take it into Sunday.”

The 'Runners will travel south to take on WAC leading Missouri-Kansas City (9-3-2, 5-0 WAC) to close out the weekend. Sunday's match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CDT) kickoff and live stats and video are accessible through the CSUB women's soccer schedule page. Bakersfield will return home next week for a Friday-Sunday two-pack of games against Texas-Pan American and New Mexico State.

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