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O'Hara, Downing
Mark Duffel

Men's Soccer

Bakersfield Hosts UC Davis in Big West Playoff Opener

Bakersfield, Calif. – Picked to finish last in the pre-season Big West Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll, CSU Bakersfield placed fourth and earned the right to host #5 seed UC Davis in Wednesday's Conference Quarterfinal at the Main Soccer Field. The Roadrunners and the Aggies will kick off at 6:00 p.m., with the winner advancing to face #1 seed UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Nov. 6.
 
"We're delighted to play our first Big West playoff match on our home field and in front of our home fans," said CSUB Head Coach Richie Grant. "We had a very competitive match with Davis during the regular season and we anticipate more of the same Wednesday."
 
The same two schools squared off just two weeks ago, when senior Tom Shepherd scored twice for the `Runners, including a game-winning overtime tally to lift CSUB over UC Davis, 2-1, in Bakersfield.
 
That game featured a combined 31 fouls and eight yellow cards, as the two teams played a physical and thrilling contest in the 24th all-time between the two schools on the men's soccer field. Bakersfield leads the all-time series 11-10-3.
 
The `Runners earned a 7-3 shots-on-goal advantage in the previous meeting, and out-cornered the Aggies 12-8, including a critical second-overtime corner kick that ended up in the back of the net.
 
Carlos Armendariz, Ricardo Soza, Niklas Roessler and Harry Downing all picked up assists in CSUB's win over UCD.
 
Roessler is the team's leading assist man this season, while Armendariz is the second-leading goal scorer for Bakersfield with four. All four of his goals have come on penalty kick opportunities, giving him CSUB records for most PK's and PK attempts in a single Division I season.
 
The `Runners leading scorer remains senior forward Aodhan O'Hara who has five goals on the year. A transfer from Alabama-Birmingham, O'Hara boasts 14 career Division I goals, but has not scored since CSUB's conference opener at CSUN.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Scott Pengelly made a pair of saves in CSUB's win over the Aggies and has been at his best down the stretch for Bakersfield. Pengelly boasts a save percentage of .667 or better in five of his last six outings, including three cleansheets.
 
Davis has split a pair of games since falling to the `Runners in Bakersfield, losing 3-2 at Cal Poly before clinching a play-off spot with a 2-1 home win over Sacramento State.
 
Four Aggies boast double-digit points, led by sophomore Maximilian Arfsten with seven goals, six assists and 20 points.

Bakersfield native Grant Fidler is second on the team with six goals and 16 points. Fidler is a 2017 graduate of Centennial High School.
 
Seniors Robert Mejia and Andy Velasquez each have 12 total points.
 
Derrek Chan has started 15 of the Aggies 18 games this season, posting a sparkling .703 save percentage and a 1.37 goals against average. The senior goalkeeper made five saves but suffered the loss against CSUB.  
 
Redshirt freshman Charles Janssen made six saves in UC Davis' playoff clinching win over Sac. State.
 
Tickets for Wednesday's home playoff game can be purchased at GoRunners.com/Tickets or by calling 661.654.BLUE.
 
Fans who cannot make it to the Main Soccer Field can enjoy the game live on ESPN+, with Bakersfield's own Jason Galvin on the call.
 
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Players Mentioned

Carlos Armendariz

#10 Carlos Armendariz

MF
5' 9"
Junior
Harry Downing

#5 Harry Downing

D
6' 0"
Sophomore
Tom Shepherd

#9 Tom Shepherd

F
6' 2"
Senior
Ricardo Soza

#15 Ricardo Soza

MF
5' 6"
Senior
Scott Pengelly

#1 Scott Pengelly

GK
6' 2"
Freshman
Niklas Roessler

#11 Niklas Roessler

MF
5' 11"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Carlos Armendariz

#10 Carlos Armendariz

5' 9"
Junior
MF
Harry Downing

#5 Harry Downing

6' 0"
Sophomore
D
Tom Shepherd

#9 Tom Shepherd

6' 2"
Senior
F
Ricardo Soza

#15 Ricardo Soza

5' 6"
Senior
MF
Scott Pengelly

#1 Scott Pengelly

6' 2"
Freshman
GK
Niklas Roessler

#11 Niklas Roessler

5' 11"
Senior
MF
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