BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—On a night in which CSU Bakersfield honored its 2015 senior class it was a pair of those seniors that scored goals to give the Roadrunners a 2-1 victory over Air Force in Western Athletic Conference men's soccer action.

“The focus tonight was to play a match that was going to get us three points,” said CSUB head coach Richie Grant. “It was a special night for our seniors. I'm so happy for those lads. They stepped up big for us tonight.”

After a scoreless first half, the Roadrunners got on the board in the 54th minute when Adam Arana sent a pass to Jamie Carey-Morrell on the right side. Carey-Morrell found senior Christian Duarte streaking towards the net. Duarte, who led the five-player senior class with his 73rd appearance in the Roadrunner uniform, found the back of the goal to break the seal.

CSU Bakersfield scored again at the 81:29 mark when Carey-Morrell sent a direct kick towards the box. Senior Simon Doherty headed in the ball for a 2-0 lead. 11 seconds later, John Sims scored off a Zach Hill pass to make it 2-1.

The Falcons (5-8, 2-4 WAC) nearly tied it in the 84th minute when A.J. Esparza's attempt was online towards the CSUB net. Roadrunner goalie Nicolas Clever turned away the shot to preserve the lead. Air Force had a corner kick in the 89th minute, but CSUB knocked the ball down the field as time ran out.  

The Air Force victory put CSUB into the sixth and final WAC Tournament slot. The Roadrunners have eight points, one more than Sunday's opponent Missouri-Kansas City.

“I'm really pleased with the points we got tonight,” said CSUB head coach Richie Grant. “We trained hard this week and it was important to get three more points in the conference.”

For the second time this season, CSUB drew over 1,000 fans as 1,594 came through the turnstiles at the Main Soccer Field.

The Roadrunners (5-4-4, 2-2-2 WAC) welcome UMKC (4-7-2, 2-3-1 WAC) to the Main Soccer Field Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the CSUB women's program. The Roadrunner women host Utah Valley at 11 a.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com. The game will also be featured on Bakersfield.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~