CSUB Hosts Cal State Fullerton, Viva Los `Runners Night

Bakersfield, Calif. – Following a Big West opening split in Southern California, the CSU Bakersfield men's soccer team returns home to face Cal State Fullerton on Viva Los `Runners night, Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 7:00 p.m., on the Main Soccer Field. A large crowd is expected as the Roadrunners take on the Titans and celebrate both Latinx heritage and the Latinx community of Kern County.

"We're excited to make our Big West home debut," said CSUB Head Coach Richie Grant. "Our marketing staff haave done a brilliant job to make this a special night and a celebration of Hispanic heritage month."

Bakersfield raced past CSUN a week ago, to win their first conference game as a Big West member school, 4-3, in Northridge, before a loss to UC Riverside on Oct. 2, dropped CSUB to a 2-6-1 overall record.

Five different `Runners scored last weekend, including Aodhan O'Hara who collected his fifth goal and second game-winning strike of the season to defeat the Matadors. O'Hara sits tied for third in the Big West in scoring.

Forward Rene Cortez and defender Eric Whelan each scored their first career goals, while Michael Vogel and Tom Shepherd both recorded their firsts of the season.

The Titans dropped games at UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego last weekend, by a combined score of 7-3, falling to 0-2-0 in conference play and 2-6-2 overall. They're led by a pair of dangerous scorers in midfielder Sebastian Cruz and forward Samuel Owusu.

Cruz boasts five goals, three assists and thirteen points on the season and has taken a team-high 23 shots with 14 on target. Owusu has four goals in just eight games played.

Juniors Andrea Bonavia and Jose Espino have split time in the Fullerton goal, allowing 21 goals in 10 games played, but combining for a robust .708 save percentage in the face of 73 shots on goal.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for CSUB's Viva Los `Runners celebration, featuring live music from Las Caliope, food trucks and a special appearance from social activist and community organizer Dolores Huerta.

Following their date with the Titans, Bakersfield will play at league-leading UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Oct. 9. The Gauchos have won three-straight, including Big West wins over Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis.

UCSB is led by a dangerous and balanced offensive attack that has averaged 2.45 goals per game and struck for eight goals in last week's two conference matchups.

Six Gauchos have scored multiple goals, paced by sophomore midfielder Finn Ballard McBride, who leads the team in goals (6), assists (5) and points (17). Junior Thaabit Baartman (5-2-12) and senior Ameyawu Muntari (4-3-11) have also scored double digit points on the year.

On the back end, UCSB has surrendered just 13 goals in 11 contests, with goalkeeper Leroy Zeller making 37 saves and playing all 1,076 minutes.

Bakersfield leads the all-time series with Cal State Fullerton 4-1-1, and has dropped two of three all-time meetings against UCSB.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Rene Cortez: F; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#9 Tom Shepherd: F; 6' 2"; Senior

#24 Michael Vogel: MF/F; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#4 Eric Whelan: D; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#20 Rene Cortez
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: F

#9 Tom Shepherd
: 6' 2"; Senior
: F

#24 Michael Vogel
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: MF/F

#4 Eric Whelan
: 6' 1"; Senior
: D

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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CSUB Hosts Cal State Fullerton, Viva Los `Runners Night

Players Mentioned

#20 Rene Cortez

#9 Tom Shepherd

#24 Michael Vogel

#4 Eric Whelan

Players Mentioned

#20 Rene Cortez

#9 Tom Shepherd

#24 Michael Vogel

#4 Eric Whelan