BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSUN defeated CSU Bakersfield 4-1 in the final 2016 non-conference regular season men's soccer match for the Roadrunners Sunday night.

The Matadors (3-4-1) took the lead in the 11th minute when Gabe Robinson headed in a Juan Samayoa chip from in front of the 'Runner goal. The Roadrunners went a man down with 2:43 to play in the first half when Anthony Negrete was issued a red card after attempting to make a tackle on the Matadors' Stuart Close.

Samayoa increased the lead to 2-0 on a penalty kick in the 51st minute.  Despite playing at the disadvantage, Julian Zamora got the 'Runners on the board with a goal off a Jamie Carey-Morrell pass in the 63rd minute.  CSUB nearly tied the match with 16 to play, but Louis Lampouge's attempt was blocked just inside the 18.  Zamora's attempt with just over 10 to go was knocked away by the Matadors' defense. A Zamora shot from 12 yards was saved by Kevin Marquez a little over a minute later.

CSUN made it a two-goal match in the 81st minute when the Matadors' leading scorer Nicolas Grinde sent a ball low and left and into the CSUB net. Bar Shem Tov put the Matadors up 4-1 with a tally in the 86th minute. The 'Runners outshot the Matadors 14-13 (10-7 on goal in favor of CSUN). Marquez made five saves while CSUB keeper Nicolas Clever charted six.

“I thought we played really well despite being a man down,” said CSUB head coach Richie Grant. “I was disappointed when we gave up the second goal. Once we got one back, we had a couple of chances to make it 2-2. It was difficult on the guys out there, but our energy was fantastic. They kept going and playing aggressive which opened our defense up and that's what allowed CSUN to take advantage.”

The Roadrunners (2-6) open Western Athletic Conference play next Friday night at UNLV (2-7) before returning home to face defending conference champion Seattle U (4-4) next Sunday at 1 p.m. on the Main Soccer Field.

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