CSUB Closes Season with Senior Night

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield men's soccer season will come to a close on Saturday at the Main Soccer Field when the Roadrunners host California Baptist for Senior Night.

CSUB (4-12-1, 2-7-1) will look to send seniors Jacob Alatorre, Sam Gomez and Sebastian Mentel off on a high note when they take on the Lancers at 7:00 p.m.

"It's been really great to coach each of them and watch them grow," said CSUB head coach Richie Grant. "It's a reminder of the important part of our job. All of three of them are on their way to degrees."

On the pitch, the `Runners will be looking to snap a six-game losing streak. CSUB has not won since it upset No. 7 Air Force back on October 5. Neither CSUB or California Baptist will qualify for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament so it will be both team's final test before the beginning of spring practice.

"The game is another opportunity for our team to get prepared as possible for next year," said Grant. "We've had a young group for most of the season and this match represents a tough opponent for us and another opportunity for us."

Redshirt sophomore Detre Bell returned to the field last weekend after missing all of conference play with a broken arm. Junior Ryan Goldsmith has been CSUB's top offensive threat since the beginning of conference action and is leading the team in goals (5), points (12), shots on goal (15) and game-winning goals (2).

"We had the opportunity to play California Baptist in the spring and I was really impressed with the direction their program is going," said Grant. "I'm not surprised they have won four out of their last five matches."

Series History
This will be the first matchup between the schools in 28 years as the Lancers and the `Runners last played on September 22, 1990. CSUB dominated the match, winning 6-0 in Riverside. At that time, CSUB was competing in NCAA Division II, while California Baptist was a NAIA member. Overall, the series is tied at three wins for each program.

Scouting the Lancers
In its first season of transition to Division I, California Baptist will be ensured of no worse than .500 record as they enter Bakersfield with a 9-8-1 overall record. The Lancers scored a huge 2-1 win over Seattle U in their first WAC match, struggled during the middle of the conference slate and won four out of five league matches to hold a 5-5 mark.

Preston Judd is the man to mark for the CSUB defense as he leads the WAC in goals (15) and points (32), while ranking third in shots (59). Judd also leads the Lancers with 35 shots on goal and has four game-winners. Niklas Haakenstad is a huge contributor off of the bench as he has totaled five goals and two assists. Sebastian Wiesbock and Oliver Bryneus are also dangerous with the ball as they have eight and six assists, respectively.

Albert Escuin has earned most of the time in the net, starting 13 of the teams 18 matches with Gage Rogers has starting the other five. Escuin has pitched three shutouts on the season and sports a goals against average of 1.21.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Jacob Alatorre: MF; 5' 11"; Senior

#1 Detre Bell: GK; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#6 Sam Gomez: MF; 6' 0"; Senior

#19 Sebastian Mentel: F; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#24 Ryan Goldsmith: F; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Jacob Alatorre
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MF

#1 Detre Bell
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: GK

#6 Sam Gomez
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MF

#19 Sebastian Mentel
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: F

#24 Ryan Goldsmith
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

CSUB Closes Season with Senior Night

Players Mentioned

#11 Jacob Alatorre

#1 Detre Bell

#6 Sam Gomez

#19 Sebastian Mentel

#24 Ryan Goldsmith

Players Mentioned

#11 Jacob Alatorre

#1 Detre Bell

#6 Sam Gomez

#19 Sebastian Mentel

#24 Ryan Goldsmith