Bakersfield Returns Home to Face CBU, UOP

Bakersfield, Calif. – Following a pair of one-goal losses to a pair of former Western Athletic Conference rivals, the CSU Bakersfield men's soccer team returns home for non-conference tilts with California Baptist and the University of the Pacific on Thursday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 5, respectively. Both games are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. kickoffs and will be broadcast live on ESPN Plus.

"We have two great teams coming to Bakersfield this weekend," said CSUB Head Coach Richie Grant. "CBU is a mature and well coached team with a possession style and Pacific is off to a good start against a tough schedule. We're looking forward to these matches."

The Roadrunners lost 2-1 to San Jose State at home last Thursday, and again by an identical margin in Phoenix, Ariz., against #22 Grand Canyon.

Junior midfielder Carlos Armendariz has scored both of CSUB's goals to date, each coming on penalty kicks. Against GCU, he led the `Runners with 11 shot attempts as the team racked up 21 shots, including nine on target in a hard-luck defeat.

Scott Pengelly has made four consecutive starts at goalkeeper dating back to the pre-season. In two regular season contests he's made four saves on the eight shots he's faced.

Bakersfield has split eight all-time matchups with CBU but saw a four-game winning streak snapped against the Lancers in 2019. The home team has won every game in the series, except for a 6-0 Bakersfield win in Riverside on Sept. 22, 1990.

The Lancers enter the weekend 1-0-0, after beating Dixie State University 2-0 in St. George, Utah. Brian Gonzalez and Reuben Dass scored for CBU in the win.

Dass and Bryan Iliohan are the team's top returning goal scorers, each netting four during a 12-game season in the Spring of 2021. Luis Mueller scored three times last season and finished the year with a team-high 10 points.

Redshirt junior Gage Rogers started 11 of 12 games in the Lancer goal last season, making 31 saves for a 1.36 goals against average and a 5-4-2 overall record. He made two saves in 45:00 minutes of action against DSU.

Pacific knocked off CSUN 2-1, in Northridge, to open the 2021 campaign. The Tigers will host Stanford on Thursday, Sept. 2, before making the trip to Bakersfield for Sunday's contest.

UOP finished an abbreviated Spring season with a 2-7 overall mark, grabbing wins over Portland and St. Mary's. Yazid Omri and Emory Rapaport led the club with two goals apiece, as the Tigers averaged just 1.00 goals per game on offense, while surrendering almost 2.00 defensively.

The Roadrunners and Tigers have split four games in the series' history, with the home team winning every time.

Following this weekend's matchups CSUB will play five consecutive road games, including the program's first Big West contests at CSUN and UC Riverside. Bakersfield will return home on Oct. 6 to face conference rival Cal State Fullerton.

Tickets for all Bakersfield men's soccer games can be purchased on GoRunners.com/Tickets.

The first 100 fans at each game will have access to CSUB's official game program. Thursday's contest against California Baptist will feature junior defender Stephon Marcano, while senior center back Harry Downing will grace the cover of Sunday's program.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Carlos Armendariz: MF; 5' 9"; Junior

#5 Harry Downing: D; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#23 Stephon Marcano: D; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#1 Scott Pengelly: GK; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Carlos Armendariz
: 5' 9"; Junior
: MF

#5 Harry Downing
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: D

#23 Stephon Marcano
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: D

#1 Scott Pengelly
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: GK

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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Bakersfield Returns Home to Face CBU, UOP

Players Mentioned

#10 Carlos Armendariz

#5 Harry Downing

#23 Stephon Marcano

#1 Scott Pengelly

Players Mentioned

#10 Carlos Armendariz

#5 Harry Downing

#23 Stephon Marcano

#1 Scott Pengelly