BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A first-half goal and another stellar defensive performance from the CSU Bakersfield men's soccer team guided the Roadrunners to its second-straight shutout during Sunday night's Western Athletic Conference match. CSUB fended off the advances of a strong UT Rio Grande Valley squad while freshman Mikey Vogel scored en route to a 1-0 victory on Senior Night at the Main Soccer Field.
 

Our Man of the Match, Ryan Goldsmith, helped create the game-winning goal tonight! Listen in as the senior breaks down his final home game as a `Runner.#MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/d9CDzXHXeB

— CSUB Men's Soccer (@csub_football) October 28, 2019

Defender Kendall Burks helped CSUB secure two shutouts this weekend. Here are his thoughts on Bakersfield's defense efforts.#MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/7M0dtiJkdt

— CSUB Men's Soccer (@csub_football) October 28, 2019

While UTRGV enjoyed 65% of the possession on the night, Bakersfield's defense stood strong and prevented the Vaqueros from creating many quality chances. Only three of UTRGV's 12 shots on Friday were on goal and CSUB goalkeeper Detre Bell saved each one.

For their efforts, the `Runners earned their second-straight shutout and finished 2-0 on the weekend after CSUB downed Incarnate Word 4-0 on Friday. With the victory, the `Runners improved to 5-9 on the year and 4-4 in WAC play. Bakersfield now has 12 points in WAC play and is currently tied with two other teams for the fifth seed in the WAC Tournament.

In a tightly-contested first half, Bakersfield struck first on a steal and breakaway from Ryan Goldsmith. Two UTRGV defenders collapsed on the senior and his shot deflected off the Vaquero keeper. The ball fell to Vogel's feet and the native of Las Vegas buried the rebound in the back of the net for his third goal of the season. Goldsmith picked up his third assist of the year and he now has a team-high 13 points.

The rest of the first half played out much the same with both teams poking and prodding at each other, but neither getting any good chances on goal. In the second half, the Vaqueros continued to push the `Runners, but the backline held firm time and time again, clearing out cross after cross and throwing their bodies in the line of fire.

Senior Night was a celebration from start to finish for Bakersfield's four seniors. The team has wrapped up its home schedule and will hit the road for the final three matches of the regular season. Next weekend, the `Runners will head to Kansas City on Friday, Nov. 1, before wrapping up the week at Houston Baptist on Sunday. CSUB's regular-season finale is set for Saturday, Nov. 9, in Riverside, Calif. against California Baptist.