BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- With the No. 1 seeded Seattle U Redhawks standing in the way of the Western Athletic Conference championship match, the CSU Bakersfield women's soccer team went to battle on Friday night. The Roadrunners pushed the WAC's top team to the brink, but the Redhawks came out on top with a 2-0 win.

“The plan was to stay in the game long enough and we felt that if we opened the game up, we might get exposed,” said Gary Curneen, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “They are a top team in the country, obviously, with a lot of speed up top. I thought we contained them really well and I thought we were good in possession. I can't fault the girls' commitment to what we tried to do and their work rate throughout; it was brilliant.”

Seattle U (14-2-3) advanced to the tournament final with the win on Friday night, but not without a fight from the Roadrunners. CSUB played well for long stretches of the match and, despite struggling to create many quality chances on goal, the 'Runners stymied the Redhawks' offense for a large majority of the match.

In the first half, Seattle U took a 1-0 lead, but not until the 39th minute. The 2015 WAC Offensive Player of the Year, Julia Moravec, played a through ball for Kiana Kraft. The redshirt senior finished to put the Redhawks up a goal.

After the first goal, the 'Runners regrouped and continued to play team defense throughout the rest of the match. CSUB deflect every attack from the Redhawks and kept the deficit to just one goal. With 10 minutes remaining in the match, Curneen urged his 'Runners to open up the match, looking for the equalizer. CSUB began to create chances, but a reduced defense left the 'Runner back line susceptible.

In the 84th minute, Seattle's Hope Fleckner pushed the ball out to Summer Mason on the wing. Mason sent a cross into the box and Moravec finished for her 10th goal of the season and a 2-0 lead. The 'Runners continued to pressure, but were unable to close the gap as Seattle U held on for the win.

After the match, Curneen reflected on the Roadrunners' season and expressed appreciation for his seniors who played their final match on Friday: “It's been a tough road. Even with my short time with the program, it has been hard on them, and that's why I have so much respect for them. Every one of them has really done an awful lot for us this year, both on and off the field. I think the most important thing I can give them is that they are great people and soccer players. We're going to miss them.”

Curneen also looked to the future as his team had eight 'Runner underclassmen in the Starting XI on Friday and presents a bright outlook on more success to come: “We're excited. It has been a fantastic season for us. I think, for the young players, they need that older guidance and they got that. We have made a lot of progress. This is an invaluable experience for this group of players.”

The Roadrunners (6-12-3) set or tied a number of school records on the year including most wins in a single-season since the switch to NCAA Division I in 2007. A prolific group of young student-athletes helped the 'Runners reset the CSUB Division I single-season records for goals, assists, and points. Curneen and his crew will head into the offseason full of potential and drive to return and fight for the 2016 WAC title.

No. 1 Seattle U and No. 2 Utah Valley will meet in the tournament final Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Fans are encouraged to come out for a top-level match featuring the league's top two teams here at the Main Soccer Field. Tickets are still available and more information on tickets can be found at www.gorunners.com/tix.

~GoRunners.com~