IRVINE, Calif.--Bakersfield dropped a pair of matches to nationally ranked opponents on day one of the UC Irvine Invitational.
No. 1 USC defeated Bakersfield 20-1 in the opener Saturday morning. Caitlyn Hill (Jr., Porterville, Calif., Porterville HS) scored the lone 'Runner goal. Niki De Leon (So., Montebello, Calif., Montebello HS) drew four exclusions.
No. 8 Loyola Marymount defeated the Roadrunners 13-5 in Saturday's nightcap. The Lions used a six-goal third period to blow the game open. De Leon recorded a hat trick for the 'Runners. De Leon and Janelle Shelby (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Grossmont HS) both drew four exclusions.
"We played two top-10 teams today and I feel good about the effort of our team," said Bakersfield head coach Jason Gall. "We just need to execute in key situations."
The tournament continues Sunday at Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach when CSUB faces the loser of the Saturday match between No. 14 UC Davis and No. 16 UC Santa Barbara at 10:30 a.m.
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