BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- The CSU Bakersfield women's soccer team played another tight match on Sunday against one of the Western Athletic Conference's top teams, Utah Valley. The Roadrunners pressured for a late equalizer multiple times, but the Wolverines held on for a 3-2 win at the Main Soccer Field.

“I was disappointed because I feel we have been here before,” said Gary Curneen, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “We usually measure progress by learning from these things and changing it, but this has a feeling of déjà vu about it.” Seven days ago, the 'Runners pushed the Wolverines in Orem, Utah, but UVU won by the same 3-2 line.

On Senior Day at the Main Soccer Field, Curneen expressed appreciation for his four seniors: “I have to give our senior group credit today for leading by example and setting the tone. This group means a lot to our team and they showed that in abundance today.” Tori Ornela, Whitney Strong, Taylor Wheeler, and Leilani Skinner all played in their final home games on Sunday and were honored before the match.

The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute when Breana McCarter scored shortly after being substituted into the match. Libby Weber crossed the ball into the box and McCarter scored her second of the season.

Showing the same resilience they have all season, the 'Runners answered back 23 seconds before halftime. Ornela served a ball deep to the wing for Madi Giammona and CSUB's freshman midfielder crossed the ball into fellow freshman Tori VandeHoef who buried her second goal of the year.

Twenty seven seconds into the second half, a defensive lapse allowed the Wolverines to take back the lead. Sara Callister sent a ball in from the wing and found McCarter who finished her second of the day and gave UVU a 2-1 advantage. At 57:59, the Wolverines scored their third and final goal of the match when Kali Stubbs' shot from deep in the box was blocked, but rebounded right back, allowing Stubbs to score her fourth of the year.

Unlike last Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Wolverines, the 'Runners closed the gap to just one goal early in the second half. Aminah Settles chased down a nicely-played through ball from Sabrina Delgado in the 64th minute. Settles, CSUB and the WAC's leading goal scorer, beat the defense and the UVU keeper for her 10th of the season. The redshirt freshman is now just one goal shy of the CSUB Division I record for goals in a single season.

The 'Runners continued to pressure, earning multiple chances in the final 25 minutes, but the Wolverines defense was able to hold on for the 3-2 victory. Ornela, a redshirt senior, came up big with seven saves in the match for CSUB.

With just one match remaining in conference play, the Roadrunners (5-11-2, 3-5-1 WAC) have clinched a spot in the 2015 WAC Tournament which will be hosted by CSUB Nov. 5-6, 8. Depending on the final match, the 'Runners will either be the fourth or fifth seed. Either way, CSUB will play NM State in the first round of the tournament. For more information on tickets for the WAC Tournament, visit this page. The 'Runners will close the regular season Saturday, Oct. 31, at Grand Canyon.

~GoRunners.com~