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Charlie Wilcox
Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography

Men's Soccer

Men’s Soccer to Host Pair of Future Big West Foes

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield men's soccer team is 2-0 on its current four-game homestand to start the 2018 season.  Coming off a dramatic 3-0 win over Pacific, who is currently ranked No. 17 in the country, the Roadrunners will host Sacramento State on Friday and UC Davis on Sunday at the Main Soccer field. 

The `Runners (2-0-0) started the season with a solid 3-1 win over Bethesda University of California and followed it up with a dominating 3-0 victory over Pacific on Monday.  Coming off a great showing against Pacific, CSUB has another tall order this weekend as UC Davis and Sacramento State are ranked sixth and ninth in the region, respectively. 

"They've been really focused because they have a mindset of taking each game as it comes to them," said CSUB head coach Richie Grant.  "I thought they managed that very well heading into Bethesda and getting themselves ready for Pacific." 

CSUB was without its senior captain Jacob Alatorre during the first weekend, and although he has yet to step foot on the pitch this fall, he has not forgotten his role as one of the leaders of the squad. 

"It's a different game when you see it from the outside," said Alatorre, a Bakersfield native.  "I've been helping the players understand their roles, helping them stay positive and motivating the team to keep the right mind set."

To date, CSUB has gotten some huge offensive contributions from its new players.  Junior transfer Ryan Goldsmith has scored a goal in each match and assisted on Sebastian Mentel's goal against Pacific to give the `Runners some much-needed breathing room.  Freshmen Niall Owens and Francisco Gomez also scored against the Tigers, while sophomore transfer Tom Shepherd picked up two assists against Bethesda. 

Despite playing just 75 minutes in the two matches, Mentel has made a big impact.  He is tied for the team lead with four shots and has a goal and an assist on his stat line as he works his way back from a preseason injury.    

"The goal did him a world of good," said Grant.  "It was such an important goal. The second goal on Monday night was a little overshadowed by the third goal, but it kind of won the game for us.  For him it was a big lift because he's so important to our team and he is so dangerous coming from the bench.  We have to keep getting him stronger and fitter and he will have a bigger impact as the season goes."

Sacramento State (0-1-1) has yet to break into the win column yet this fall, but has played two tough opponents in the early going in Portland and Oregon State.  The Hornets tied the Pilots 1-1 to start the season, before falling to the Beavers 2-1. 

In the last meeting between the two programs, CSUB defeated Sacramento State 1-0 in overtime in Sacramento.  Henry Nguyen scored the game-winner in the 97th minute from the top of the box to propel the Roadrunners to victory.   

"We worked really hard in the preseason and the whole team believes we reap what we sew and it's paying off," said Alatorre.  "We've had a good history against Sacramento State so we're excited about it and coach has made sure we're not complacent."

The Aggies (1-0-1) are unbeaten heading into the weekend.  UC Davis has beaten Omaha 1-0 and tied Creighton 0-0 to start the year.  They will host fellow WAC member San Jose State on Friday before making the trip to Bakersfield.  Adam Mickelson has the Aggies' only goal so far this year and leads the team with four shots, wile Wallis Lapsley has made nine saves and has yet to allow a goal this season. 

Last season in Davis, the Aggies knocked off the `Runners 2-1.  UC Davis scored just six minutes into the match and held a 2-0 lead at halftime.  Jamie Carey-Morrell scored a goal on a penalty kick in the 84th minute, but CSUB was unable to complete the comeback. 

Kickoff for both matches is at 7:00 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Jamie Carey-Morrell

#4 Jamie Carey-Morrell

D
6' 0"
Senior
Jacob Alatorre

#11 Jacob Alatorre

MF
5' 11"
Senior
Sebastian Mentel

#19 Sebastian Mentel

F
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Henry Nguyen

#8 Henry Nguyen

MF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Francisco Gomez

#16 Francisco Gomez

F
6' 3"
Freshman
Niall Owens

#21 Niall Owens

F
5' 7"
Freshman
Tom Shepherd

#9 Tom Shepherd

F
6' 1"
Sophomore
Ryan Goldsmith

#24 Ryan Goldsmith

F
5' 8"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Jamie Carey-Morrell

#4 Jamie Carey-Morrell

6' 0"
Senior
D
Jacob Alatorre

#11 Jacob Alatorre

5' 11"
Senior
MF
Sebastian Mentel

#19 Sebastian Mentel

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
F
Henry Nguyen

#8 Henry Nguyen

5' 9"
Sophomore
MF
Francisco Gomez

#16 Francisco Gomez

6' 3"
Freshman
F
Niall Owens

#21 Niall Owens

5' 7"
Freshman
F
Tom Shepherd

#9 Tom Shepherd

6' 1"
Sophomore
F
Ryan Goldsmith

#24 Ryan Goldsmith

5' 8"
Junior
F
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