SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--The CSU Bakersfield defeated No. 20 Wagner before losing to No. 4 California on day one of the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invite.

CSU Bakersfield defeated No. 20 Wagner (2-1) 12-9 to get Saturday underway. Kristen Jensen, Jada Helberg, and Ashley Paz each posted a hat trick for the 'Runners. Jensen also charted three assists. Paz would draw four exclusions during the match.  Junior goalie Courtney Wahlstrom made a career high 18 saves.

“Wagner is a difficult team to defend,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “They have some great offensive weapons. We had a good game plan and we did a good job of executing it. I think we looked much more comfortable on offense throughout the game.”

No. 4 California (6-1) defeated CSUB 14-3 in the final match of the day. Paz scored two of the three Roadrunner goals and drew two exclusions. Nicola Barrett had the other goal for CSUB. This was the second of three matches between the Roadrunners and the Bears this season. CSUB is at Cal Apr. 23 in a MPSF match.

“We gave up too many exclusions early in the game and found ourselves in a little bit of a hole,” Gall said. “Despite the score, we are improving in some critical areas.”

The tournament continues Sunday when the Roadrunners (2-4) face No. 21 UC San Diego at 9:10 a.m. and No. 7 Hawai'i at 12:10 p.m.

~www.GoRunners.com~

MATCH 1

CSUB                    3 2 3 4                   12

Wagner                1 3 3 2                   9

CSUB Goals-Jensen 3, Helberg 3, Paz 3, Benson 2, Barrett 1

Wagner Goals-Doehfler 3, Watson 2, Rodriguez 1, Hardy 1, Irving, 1, Anderson 1

CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 18

Wagner Saves-Riddle 7

MATCH 2

California             3 4 3 4                   14

CSUB                    2 1 0 0                   3

California Goals-Smiley 4, Carrega 3, Avalos 2, Loughlin 2, Saunders 2, Weed 1.

CSUB Goals-Paz 2, Barrett 1

California Saves-Trabucco 5

CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 12