BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- On the opening night of Western Athletic Conference play, the CSU Bakersfield women's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Grand Canyon. The 'Runners fell behind late in the second half but a goal from redshirt freshman Aminah Settles and stonewall defense helped CSUB earn a point on Saturday night at the Main Soccer Field.

“I'm really proud of what the women did tonight,” said Gary Curneen, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “We didn't get off to the best start, but, we settled down and we stuck to our guns. Our guns are possession soccer and to work very, very hard for one another. I thought we did really well tonight. We could have won the game and Grand Canyon had chances as well, so, I think a draw was a fair result.”

Grand Canyon got out to a quick start, putting ample pressure on the 'Runners in the opening moments of the match. Just five minutes in, GCU had taken four shots on CSUB with two on goal, but Tori Ornela saved both as she creeped toward the 300 career saves milestone.

The Antelopes and Roadrunners each hit the cross bar once in the opening 45 minutes but CSUB ended up with more quality chances. After a 'Runner corner kick in the 14th minute, Jess Moorehead connected with Taylor Wheeler in the box. The senior's header nearly beat GCU's keeper, Blakely Fraasch, but a few fingers were just enough for the save. In the 26th minute, freshman Sabrina Delgado hit the crossbar on a strike from 20 yards out as the score remained nil-nil through the first half.

In the 77th minute, Grand Canyon sprinted into a two-on-two situation against the 'Runner defense. Maria Monterroso, the WAC's preseason Offensive Player of the Year, passed across the middle from 30 yards out to find an open Deseree Doty. With only the keeper to beat, Doty fired from just outside the 18-yard box and beat Ornela in the near corner to give Grand Canyon a 1-0 lead.

Despite a disheartening blow, the 'Runners wasted almost no time grieving; in fact, it took only 19 ticks of the clock for CSUB to answer back with a goal of its own. The Roadrunners drove down the field and Alexa Orrante took a shot which rebounded out to Aminah Settles. Bakersfield's forward collected the ball and finished in the low corner past Fraasch. The goal was Settles' third of the season and tied the match up at one goal apiece.

“Ideally, a coach would want to stop the first goal, but, it was a great response,” said Curneen of the goal given up and the equalizer. “It shows mental toughness; we didn't put our heads down. Aminah could lead the country in goals. She has had a barren spell of five games and the season hasn't really gone the way she probably would like. She's our go-to player. I wish she would get the goals her play deserves.”

The 'Runners and 'Lopes continued to battle in a physical match with both teams earning quality opportunities. Despite each having their chances, neither team was able to put the game-winner in the back of the net before regulation ended. In overtime, the motif continued as the weary student-athletes gave it their all, but superior defense won out and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

With her third goal of the season, Settles joined two 'Runner teammates for the team-lead in goals on the season. Orrante picked up her second assist of the year while the CSUB women proved to be made of iron. Eight women played all 110 minutes for CSUB in an impressive feat of endurance.

Ornela amassed a season-high nine saves in a brilliant night in front of the net. The CSUB keeper had five saves in the first half which helped Ornela reach 300 in her career while the Lemoore, Calif. native's four saves in the second half pushed her beyond the plateau.

With the first WAC match under their belts, the 'Runners (2-6-2, 0-0-1 WAC) will move on from Grand Canyon (3-6-2, 0-0-1 WAC) into more conference play next week. CSUB will travel for a pair of road matches with NM State Oct. 2 before UTRGV Oct. 4.

~GoRunners.com~