BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- With a record-setting win under their belts and a tank full of momentum, the Roadrunner women's soccer team will dive into the toughest part of its schedule this week. CSU Bakersfield will hit the road for a pair of Western Athletic Conference matches featuring defending WAC Champion Seattle U Oct. 16 and current WAC leader Utah Valley Oct. 18.
“We are very excited about the games this weekend and have no doubts that they will push us to the limit again,” said Gary Curneen, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “Both Seattle and Utah Valley are having great seasons again this year, so, we are preparing for a huge challenge ahead on Friday and Sunday. There has been huge growth for us throughout this season and this is another opportunity for us to step up and see what we are made of.”
The 'Runners and Seattle U have a rich history dating back to the 2001 season. The Redhawks have dominated the all-time series, winning all 14 previous meetings. In 2014, Seattle defeated the 'Runners 6-3 in Bakersfield before downing CSUB 5-1 in Washington.
The Redhawks entered the week with a record of 8-2-3, 3-0-2 WAC, and are ranked No. 70 in the NCAA Division I RPI. Seattle U looks to Karli White as its leading goal scorer while Julia Moravec and Summer Mason are close behind as the trio have scored six, five, and four goals, respectively. Senior Brianna Smallidge has started every match in goal for Seattle and boasts a goals against average of just 0.75 while recording 56 saves.
Utah Valley and CSUB have met six times in the two programs' histories. CSUB won the first-ever meeting while UVU has won the last five. The 'Runners have never given up more than two goals in a single match to the Wolverines including during a pair of 2-1 losses last season.
The Wolverines entered the week on a four-match win streak and are unbeaten in their last six. Utah Valley has a potent offense which has scored 34 goals in 14 matches. Sheridan Fox leads the team with six goals on the year while Kasandra Anderson is a dual threat with four goals and seven assists. Jessica Duffin tends to the UVU goal and has six shutouts this season.
The 'Runners and Redhawks will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday while the match against Utah Valley will begin 11 a.m. (MDT). Both matches can be viewed live and for free via the WAC Digital Network and live stats for both can be accessed from the CSUB women's soccer schedule page.
~GoRunners.com~
