BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- On the way to his 100th career win as a head coach, Gary Curneen's Roadrunners ran away with a 4-0 win over Humboldt State. Curneen earned 95 wins at the helm of his alma mater, Wingate, had four victories with the CSU Bakersfield women's soccer team last season, and made it an even 100 on Friday night at the Main Soccer Field.

“I'm happy to get it here,” Curneen said after the win. “Hopefully we can keep a few more coming. I would swap all 100 wins for a little bit of glory with the Roadrunners at the end of the season.”

A strong first half propelled the 'Runners to two goals in the first half. Bakersfield scored its first goal just 12 minutes into the match after a cross from freshman Elle Estes cleared the Lumberjack defenders. Redshirt freshman Aminah Settles found Estes' pass and headed CSUB to a 1-0 lead.

Less than nine minutes later, Settles connected with fellow redshirt freshman Alexa Orrante in the box. Orrante made a quick pass to sophomore Maja Green whose light touch to the corner beat the outstretched HSU keeper. The second half drew to an end with the 'Runners leading the Jacks 2-0, but Bakersfield dominated possession, outshooting Humboldt State 8-2 in the half.

The second half continued the trend of domination for CSUB, which shot 10 times to HSU's one for a game difference of 18-3. The Lumberjack defense fought back in the second period, but the pressure finally climaxed when an errant goal kick was gather by freshman Tori VandeHoef in the 84th minute. The forward from Everson, Wash. charged to the net and put her first collegiate goal past the keeper.

With less than three minutes to play, the 'Runners capitalized on another opportunity, stretching their lead to 4-0. A freshman to freshman combination gave Max Langenberg her first assist while Chloe Peepgrass netted her first goal.

Peepgrass' tally also gave CSUB, a team expected to struggle to find a source of goals, its fourth unique goal scorer of the night. Curneen enjoyed seeing his team come together to create goals from all parts of the lineup: “It's nice to spread the wealth. There's a lot been talked about where we're going to get goals from this year. We're trying to put a bit of responsibility of the shoulders of these girls.”

While the 'Runners have opened up their season with a win, a tough test stands ahead of the young team. Next weekend, CSUB will travel to Washington for a two-game road trip against Eastern Washington Aug.  28 and Gonzaga Aug. 30. The 'Runners will return to Bakersfield for a pair of home games the following weekend.

~GoRunners.com~