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Men's Soccer

Men’s Soccer Kicks Off Season on Friday at Home

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield men's soccer program begins its fifth campaign under head coach Richie Grant on Friday at the Main Soccer Field at 7:00 p.m.  The Roadrunners start the regular season slate against Bethesda University of California. 



The `Runners began preseason practice on August 8 and hosted CSUN for an exhibition on August 12.  After a few more days of camp, CSUB traveled to UC Irvine on August 16 for its final tune-up of the preseason.  Following the exhibition against the Anteaters, the `Runners spent the next three days at The Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. 

"It's been a really good camp," said head coach Richie Grant.  "We had a number of new players that needed to gel with the team.  Getting them adopted to our culture and how we want to do things has been really smooth.  The whole preseason was highlighted by the trip to Chula Vista.  To be at an Olympic Training Center and surrounded by Olympians and the kind of atmosphere and energy of how top athletes train provided some really good team bonding on the trip."

After a number of days of two training sessions, the `Runners have gotten some rest this week and have spent some time volunteering at the CSUB Food Pantry and worked with some youth teams in the mentoring program. 
 

The `Runners will bring back plenty of talent as Second Team All-WAC selection Detre Bell returns in goal, while Honorable Mention All-WAC picks Jeremie Charron and Sebastian Mentel also return to the pitch. 

Bell played every second in goal for CSUB last season and also earned All-WAC Freshman Team plaudits.  He produced five shutouts on the season, which led to a 1.61 goals against average.  Bell made a career-high 10 saves against Grand Canyon University last season, which is good for second in school history.  His 82 saves on the season are third-best in CSUB's Division I history. 

Charron led the field players in minutes played (1,649) and started all 18 games in 2017.  He scored his first career goal against GCU, while providing plenty of support to the back line.  Mentel led the squad in points (14), shots on goal (13) and goals (6) last fall and should be one of the `Runners' top offensive weapons again this season.  

Bell and Bakersfield native Jacob Alatorre will captain this year's club. 

"There's a heavy emphasis on them providing the energy for the way that we train," said Grant.  "They set the tone and they've done well.  We are just driving the older players because it is their responsibility to provide the confidence for the team.  We're a team that knows we can do well.  Our training culture is really positive and our confidence will come from our performances that back up the effort that we've put into camp."

In preseason action, a number of newcomers have made a strong impression especially defensively.  Kendall Burks started both preseason matches at center back and will likely be joined by fellow freshman Stephon Marcano and Charlie Wilcox in the lineup.  Wilcox participated in spring practice with the `Runners and his development has been noticeable according to Grant. 

Offensively, West Virginia University transfer Tom Shepherd has been the most productive during the two preseason exhibitions, registering four shots. 

"The one thing that that lad has done is he has given everything to preseason camp," said Grant.  "He's the way you should be at the end of camp.  He's pretty tired so now we have to get him fresh and sharp for the first game."

Freshman forward Francisco Gomez has also earned considerable time in the first two exhibitions.  The midfield will look very similar as Sam Gomez, Niklas Koerber, Henry Nguyen and Ricardo Soza all return to the squad.  The foursome combined to start 59 games last season with Gomez starting all 18 to lead the group. 

With Bethesda looming on Friday, the Roadrunners do not want to look too far ahead in the future.  When asked about the team's preseason No. 7 ranking in the Western Athletic Conference, Grant spoke about spring and preseason meetings with the team's veterans to focus on the next game on the schedule.

"We can't lose perspective on the next game that is in front of us," said Grant.  "We've taken on the concept of one game at a time.  It's been really clear the way they've trained.  We're very focused on opening night. We have an excellent foundation of fitness from our training camp, which is important, but right now we've placed a heavy, heavy emphasis on the game in front of us and becoming really competitive."

Starting with Bethesda on Friday, the Roadrunners will play their first four matches on their home pitch.  CSUB hosts Pacific on Monday at 7:00 p.m. before entertaining Sacramento State on Friday, August 31 and UC Davis on Sunday, September 2. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jacob Alatorre

#11 Jacob Alatorre

MF
5' 11"
Senior
Detre Bell

#1 Detre Bell

GK
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Jeremie Charron

#5 Jeremie Charron

D
5' 10"
Junior
Sam Gomez

#6 Sam Gomez

MF
6' 0"
Senior
Niklas Korber

#10 Niklas Korber

MF
5' 9"
Junior
Sebastian Mentel

#19 Sebastian Mentel

F
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Henry Nguyen

#8 Henry Nguyen

MF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Ricardo Soza

#15 Ricardo Soza

MF
5' 6"
Sophomore
Francisco Gomez

#16 Francisco Gomez

F
6' 3"
Freshman
Charlie Wilcox

#4 Charlie Wilcox

D
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jacob Alatorre

#11 Jacob Alatorre

5' 11"
Senior
MF
Detre Bell

#1 Detre Bell

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
GK
Jeremie Charron

#5 Jeremie Charron

5' 10"
Junior
D
Sam Gomez

#6 Sam Gomez

6' 0"
Senior
MF
Niklas Korber

#10 Niklas Korber

5' 9"
Junior
MF
Sebastian Mentel

#19 Sebastian Mentel

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
F
Henry Nguyen

#8 Henry Nguyen

5' 9"
Sophomore
MF
Ricardo Soza

#15 Ricardo Soza

5' 6"
Sophomore
MF
Francisco Gomez

#16 Francisco Gomez

6' 3"
Freshman
F
Charlie Wilcox

#4 Charlie Wilcox

6' 1"
Freshman
D
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