Bakersfield, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's women's soccer team (5-5) will travel to Stockton, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 22 for a matchup with Pacific, before coming home to wrap up non-conference play against UC Riverside at 6 p.m. at Main Soccer Field on Sunday evening.

"With the nature of a college season, every weekend is a big one but this has a couple of extra challenges for us," said Gary Curneen, CSUB's Head Coach. "Coming off the disappointment of Sunday's second half, we will want to regain the momentum and get back on the front foot. Yesterday's result hurt our team and we will look to bounce back quickly."

Last weekend at home, the `Runners had their toughest weekend of the season for both opponents & results.  CSUB dropped a heartbreaker on Friday night with a 2-1 loss to a high powered UNLV squad that offensively ranks in the top 25 nationally.  The `Runners fought back from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game on an Alexa Orrante penalty kick goal for her 4^th of the season.  But Sophie Cortes scored her second of the night, with a little less than 10 minutes remaining, to give the Running Rebels the victory.  Despite the loss, it may have been CSUB's best performance to date.  CSUB GK Jordan Bertram made an unbelievable save in the second half to keep the game close.  It was such a great save that Bertram was nominated for the #WACtopPlay of the week on twitter.

On Sunday, CSUB went to the half with a 1-0 lead over Sacramento State on a goal by Alexa Orrante, her fifth of the season.  But three Hornets goals in the second half dropped the `Runners to a 5-5 non-conference record.  Orrante has really found her groove and is now tied for the team lead in points with five goals & two assists.

Both the Pacific Tigers & UC Riverside Highlanders have identical records of 2-6-2, but Coach Curneen knows his team will have to play well to get two victories.
"Pacific and Riverside bring different challenges but we will need to be at our best to get the results," said Coach Curneen. "It's also the last week of non-conference for us and we really want that winning record. We've never had it here and it will serve as extra motivation for our players to put the work in this week and tick every box in terms of preparation. I'm excited for another opportunity for our team to show what we are about."

Sunday's home match against UC Riverside is set to kick off at 6 p.m. and can be watched live via the WAC Digital Network.  A low temperature of 60 degrees is expected on Sunday evening, so grab a jacket and come out to cheer on your `Runners at Main Soccer Field!