EDINBURG, Texas – A 3-0 halftime deficit seemed like a hurdle the CSU Bakersfield women's soccer team would overcome when the Roadrunners scored three quick goals early in the second half of Friday afternoon's season opener. CSUB's opponent, Sam Houston State, thwarted the 'Runner rally and took a 4-3 victory in a wild start to the year.

"Unfortunately for us, one look at the scoreboard tells you exactly where we lost that game," said Gary Curneen, Head Coach of the `Runners. "We didn't start with our usual energy, but our response to their first goal wasn't good enough and we paid the price for a rough five-minute stretch."

Curneen went on to describe his team's second-half performance: "I'm proud of the comeback and our response to a tough situation. Our second half was really good and we showed real character. We will take the lessons from today along with the positives and look to bounce back on Sunday."

The `Runners fell behind the Bearkats early, giving up three goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. The third goal came from a blast at the top of the box at the 10:03 mark as CSUB found itself in a 3-0 hole. Redshirt junior Aminah Settles nearly got the 'Runners on the board at in the 17th minute, but her attempt careened off of the crossbar.

CSUB wasted little time in the second half to mount its rally. The `Runners netted three goals in a span of two minutes and 53 seconds to tie the score up at 3-3. Bakersfield got on the board at 50:15 when junior transfer Claire Nelson slotted the ball to Settles, who did not miss with her second opportunity.

A freshman-to-freshman connection made the score 3-2 as Aryana Harvey's corner kick found Eszter Toth in the box. The native of Bakersfield put the ball in the back of the net and CSUB went on to equalize 41 seconds later. Redshirt junior Alexa Orrante's penalty kick attempt was saved, but the rebound came right to the midfielder who buried her first goal of the season.

SHSU was not going to lay down and give up as Carly English stole the ball from a CSUB defender in the 59th minute and took a blast from outside the box to put her team back ahead 4-3. Despite outscoring the Kats 3-1 and owning the majority of offensive chances, the 'Runners were unable to find another equalizer and fell in their season opener.

The `Runners (0-1) will wrap up the UTRGV Tournament on Sunday with a match against Prairie View A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT) in Texas.

~GoRunners.com~