Mark Duffel

Men's Soccer October 11, 2022

Bakersfield Begins Playoff Push at UC Davis

Bakersfield - The California State University, Bakersfield Men's Soccer heads out on the road to begin their final playoff push with a trip to UC Davis, Wednesday, before returning to the Main Soccer Field and hosting CSUN in a Saturday night bout in Bakersfield. The Roadrunners split a pair of games with the Aggies last season, winning the regular-season battle in overtime before falling in a home quarterfinal to end the season. CSUB downed CSUN 4-3 in a shootout in Northridge, for their first ever win against the Matadors.

Bakersfield is five points out of a playoff spot with five games remaining, sitting in the Big West basement after opening the conference slate against the top half of the table. The 'Runners are 2-8-2 and are 0-4-1 on the road this season, they'll look for their first victory away from the Main Soccer Field against a UCD team that is tied for second in the league after a slow start during the non-conference schedule. The Matadors are tied for the final playoff spot with six points and a 2-2-0 league record.

THIS WEEK...
at U C Davis (Wednesday, Oct. 12 - 3:00 PM) | Davis, Calif. | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
vs CSUN (Saturday, Oct. 15 - 7:00 PM) | Bakersfield, Calif. | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets

ROADRUNNER QUICK STRIKES...
* One goal has made all the difference for Bakersfield in 2022 - whether for or against. The Roadrunners have lost three consecutive games by one goal, falling to 2-4-0 in such contests this season. CSUB has allowed more than two goals on only two occasions this season, while allowing just eight combined in the other eight games played. The 'Runners have managed just six goals offensively, scoring just once in their last six outings.

* The Roadrunners & Aggies split a pair of games during the 2021 season, with both games being played at The Main Soccer Field. Bakersfield won a regular-season contest in overtime, 2-1, but dropped the Big West Quarterfinal rematch a couple of weeks later by a 3-1 margin. Current graduate assistant Tom Shepherd scored all three of the 'Runner goals against UC Davis a season ago.

* Saturday's contest with CSUN will mark the Roadrunners second-annual Viva Los 'Runner's celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. In 2021, Bakersfield beat Cal State Fullerton 1-0 in from of 1,439 fans at The Main Soccer Field. Senior captain Carlos Armendariz scored the game's only goal from the penalty spot to send the partisan CSUB crowd home happy.

* Roadrunner goalkeeper Filippo Dadone needs 18 more stops to move into Bakersfield's Single-Season Top-10 in saves. The native of Cuneo, Italy, has turned aside 47 of the 64 shots he's faced this season, and 18 more would tie him with Matt Touchstone (1995) for 10th all-time. At his current pace, Dadone would break into the Top-10 in the season finale at Cal Poly.

* CSUB leads the Big West Conference with 32 yellow cards this season, including a season high of 5 against both San Jose State and Portland. Central defender Harry Downing is tops on the club in cautions and will miss the game at UC Davis after collecting his fifth in a loss to UC San Diego. Bryson Hankins was shown Bakersfield's first red card of the year against the Tritons and his status for Wednesday's contest remains uncertain.

* The 'Runners have advanced to conference tournaments in each of head coach Richie Grant's seven seasons in Bakersfield. Last season, CSUB placed fourth in the Big West - after being picked to finish dead last - and hosted a quarterfinal contest with UC Davis at The Main Soccer Field. This season, CSUB was picked to place 8th in the 10-team league.

* Five different Roadrunners have capped internationally at the youth or senior* level. Damian Alguera (USA & El Salvador), Stephon Marcano (Trinidad & Tobago*), Scott Pengelly (Northern Ireland), all boast international caps, while Carlos Armendariz and Adrian Medina have each represented the United States at the Senior National Level in Futsal. Marcano dressed for a pair of T&T friendlies this past summer, at Bolivia and at Belize.

* Ten Roadrunners prepped for the college game by representing and competing with professional youth academies - including Damian Alguera (Philadelphia Union, Sporting KC, SJ Earthquakes), Filippo Dadone (Juventus Academy), Harry Downing (Plymouth Argyle FC), Kevin Estrada (San Francisco Glens), Bryson Hankins (Seattle Sounders FC), Sucre Herrera (Sacramento Republic FC), Nathan Jimenez (Sacramento Republic FC), Adrian Medina (San Francisco Glens), Scott Pengelly (Fleetwood Town FC) and Andres Perez de Gracia (Crystal Palace FC & Derby County FC).

* Fans of the Roadrunners can follow the team all season long online and on social media. Visit GoRunners.com for complete coverage, live streaming links and more, while following @CSUB_Football on both Twitter and Instagram for behind the scenes content and insight. Season tickets and single game seats for all Bakersfield home games are now available at GoRunners.com/Tickets...

Up Next...
Bakersfield will travel to UC Irvine to kick off next week's slate, before returning home to The Main Soccer Field to host their Senior Night Celebration and Alumni Homecoming event against UC Riverside. The Roadrunners and Highlanders match up is set for 7 p.m., with tickets still available for purchase on GoRunners.com/Tickets or by calling 661.654.BLUE.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#17 Kevin Estrada: F; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#8 Bryson Hankins: D; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#22 Sucre Herrera: GK; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

#15 Adrian Medina: MF; Junior

#28 Nathan Jimenez: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#17 Kevin Estrada
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: F

#8 Bryson Hankins
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: D

#22 Sucre Herrera
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: GK

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

#15 Adrian Medina
: Junior
: MF

#28 Nathan Jimenez
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

Bakersfield Begins Playoff Push at UC Davis

Players Mentioned

#10 Carlos Armendariz

#5 Harry Downing

#17 Kevin Estrada

#8 Bryson Hankins

#22 Sucre Herrera

#23 Stephon Marcano

#15 Adrian Medina

#28 Nathan Jimenez

Players Mentioned

#10 Carlos Armendariz

#5 Harry Downing

#17 Kevin Estrada

#8 Bryson Hankins

#22 Sucre Herrera

#23 Stephon Marcano

#15 Adrian Medina

#28 Nathan Jimenez