BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- Behind the passes of Kelly Mitchell and the goals of Hedda Regefalk, Bakersfield came from behind to defeat WAC foe Texas-Pan American by a score of 4-2. Friday night turned out to be a record setting night for both Regefalk and the Roadrunners at the Main Soccer Field.

“Every victory is huge,” said Gary Curneen, Bakersfield's head coach. “They hung in there and I thought they played some great stuff tonight.” Curneen's assessment of the 'Runner offense is spot on, but the team had to put together a comeback in order to win at home. UTPA took a one-nil lead when Andreya Barrera beat the 'Runner defenders on a long ball over the top from Hannah Spets in the 13th minute.

Bakersfield would not trail for long as Mitchell (Fr., Corona, Calif., Sabtiago HS) set up an opportunity for Regefalk (So., Stockholm, Sweden, Blackebergs Gymnasium) in the 22nd minute to record her first career assists. With her seventh goal of the year, Regefalk became Bakersfield's Division I record holder for most goals in a single season.

The Broncs would not let up easily and took back the lead ten minutes later as Allyson Smith netted her third goal of the season to give UTPA a 2-1 lead. The third goal of the night clearly lit a fire under the seats of the 'Runners as Bakersfield needed only 56 seconds to score the 2-2 equalizer. Regefalk padded her goal-scoring record when Jess Moorehead's (Fr., Strabane, N. Ireland, Strabane Academy) ball over the top landed in the middle of the box. Bakersfield's Swedish forward put away her second goal of the night with a cool finish in a tight spot.

The first-half scoring was still not complete in what was Bakersfield's most exciting first 45 minutes of play this season. With their third goal in sixteen minutes, the 'Runners took a 3-2 lead when Maja Green (Fr., Falkoping, Sweden, Allebergsgymnasiet HS) finished Mitchell's flick from Taylor French's (Sr., Monrovia, Calif., Maranatha HS) long ball. The goal was Green's third on the year and also gave Mitchell her second assist of the night.

The second half was much slower for both teams, but Bakersfield continued to dominant possession and produced an 18-12 shot advantage on the match. In the 70th minute, Regefalk finished off her second hat trick of the season while Mitchell picked up a hat trick of her own with her third assist of the match. Regefalk's three-goal performance gave the 'Runners a 4-2 lead and was Bakersfield's 12th ever hat trick, dating back to the program's inception in 1996. Curneen had high praises for his offensive catalysts: “Kelly Mitchell has added an extra component. [She and Regefalk] complement each other really well in that position, so, credit to both of them.”

One more record fell on Friday night as the 'Runners tallied a total of six assists. The previous team, Division I record for a match had been 5 in a match against Westmont in 2007. “Hedda is going to get goals, but Hedda's not going to get goals if we just put the ball to her to run after," said Bakersfield's head coach. "The service has to be good and tonight it was awesome.”

The Roadrunners will attempt to ride their momentum through the rest of the weekend in a match against New Mexico State Sunday afternoon. Bakersfield (3-13-1, 2-5 WAC) will play host to the Aggies (3-15-0, 2-6 WAC) at the Main Soccer Field in a 12 p.m. kick off. Tickets for all of Bakersfield's remaining home games can be purchased ahead of time at Vallitix.com.

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