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Tom Shepherd

Men's Soccer

`Runners Open WAC Play with San Jose State

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield men's soccer team hosts the Spartans of San Jose State on Saturday night in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams. 

The Roadrunners enter conference action with a 2-5 record, while the Spartans check in at 2-4-1.  CSUB started off the season with wins over Bethesda University of California and Pacific, but are in the midst of a five-game skid.  CSUB expects senior captain Jacob Alatorre to play for the first time this fall, while Jeremie Charron should start after returning from the injured list against Cal Poly. 

"Our non-conference schedule has been very strong," said CSUB head coach Richie Grant.  "We've played opponents that are really well coached and well organized and the WAC is in a really good position this year.  The conference presents a clean slate and an opportunity for us to improve and learn from some tough matches and tough opponents.  We've proved early in the season, particularly against Pacific that we can be very resilient, very organized and can score goals."

The `Runners starting lineup is typically made up of five or six new players and the green group will need to adjust accordingly to conference action. 

"I think the difference is in the competition for points," said Grant.  "I think the young players are in for a little bit of a growing up culture.  You see that fight in the conference games when people are really determined to get points and to position themselves for postseason play."

Series History
San Jose State leads the all-time series 10-6-1 between the two programs, but the two teams are 1-1-1 in the last three meetings.  The last time the Roadrunners hosted the Spartans, CSUB earned a 2-1 victory in October of 2016.  Current senior Sam Gomez assisted on a goal by junior Niklas Koerber to break a 1-1 tie in the 73rd minute. 
 
Last season in the regular season finale between the two clubs, San Jose State pitched a shutout and held the `Runners to just one shot on goal.  Current sophomore defender Omar Lemus assisted on Miguel Castillo's goal that turned into the game-winner in the 34th minute. 

Scouting the Spartans
The Spartans are led by long-time CSUB head coach Simon Tobin and come to Bakersfield with a 2-4-1 record during the non-conference slate.  SJSU was picked to finish fourth in the WAC in the preseason coaches' poll and senior defender Andy Rios was selected to the Preseason All-WAC Team.
 
Omar Lemus and Willy Miranda are the two players to watch offensively.  The pair has three goals each, while Lemus has added two assists for a team-high eight points.  Lemus also leads the team with seven shots on goal, despite Miranda outshooting him 20-11.  Andrew Mendoza and Jeff Dukes both have two assists to pace the Spartan offense.  In goal, Alex Clewis has played every minute in net, allowing 14 goals and totaling a 1.94 goals against average. 
 
The two squads have had a number of common opponents.  SJSU lost to UC Davis 3-2, but bounced back and defeated Sacramento State 2-1.  On Sunday night, the Spartans were shutout 3-0 by Pacific.  In other non-conference action, SJSU tied Stanford to start the season and scored a 4-1 win over nationally-ranked San Francisco. 

Blue Out
The first 400 fans at the Main Soccer Field on Saturday will receive a free blue t-shirt.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jacob Alatorre

#11 Jacob Alatorre

MF
5' 11"
Senior
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

Players Mentioned

Jacob Alatorre

#11 Jacob Alatorre

5' 11"
Senior
MF
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
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