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Hannah Walker

Women's Soccer

Silva Announces 2023 CSUB Women's Soccer Schedule

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield Women's Soccer team took strides in its post-COVID rebuilding efforts during the 2022 season, improving upon the previous year's results by one win and four draws. Former Head Coach Sebastian Vecchio turned that success into a personal career step, becoming the Associate Head Coach for the ACC's NC State Women's Soccer team. He is replaced by Big West veteran and former Sacramento State Associate Head Coach, Bernardo Silva, who is excited to announce the team's 2023 schedule that includes 18 total matches with 10 Big West competitions. A determined first-time head coach, Silva will be working tirelessly to bring the Roadrunners to their first Big West Championship tournament since joining the conference in 2020.

Silva had this to say on joining a team with a ready-made schedule: "From a scheduling perspective, I can not consider whether it would be an advantage or disadvantage to have created this schedule. Of course, it is always good to have the opportunity to pick your opponents and figure out the best way to prepare for the Big West, but I feel that the previous staff here did a great job picking games that are good experiences for players to gear up for the challenges of the conference."

The new head coach continued with talking about specific matches he is looking forward to. "I am excited about several of the key fixtures that are on the schedule, including opening up against my former team at Sacramento State. It will be a special, emotional game for me." Silva continued talking about his history with the Big West conference, "My connection with the Big West, so to play Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara, two places that I have history with, make for a few important matches. The "valley rivalry" with Fresno State will be a great game to host the Bulldogs and come out on top."

Silva also discussed how his experience and knowledge of the Big West gives his team an extra weapon to their arsenal, "When you have knowledge of the Big West, and there has not been much turnover with the coaching in the conference, you can pick out certain traits and playing philosophies that other coaches like to put into their teams, which will play an advantage for us. Playing in the Big West is a challenge, regardless of who you face. For me, passing that drive and motivation onto the players is important. I am excited to bring my experience, and I think it will be a key factor to us being successful in our conference campaign."

Bakersfield's 2023 season opens up on August 11th with an exhibition at Saint Mary's (CA), while five of the Roadrunners' first seven matches will be played on the road. Although the Roadrunners will certainly be tested early, new Head Coach Bernardo Silva is driven and determined to get off to a fast start in his first season at CSUB. In particular, Silva will look to get one over his former squad with an away day at Sacramento State as the first regular season matchup. Just three days afterwards, the `Runners will host the homecoming game against their rivals from up Highway 99, the Fresno State Bulldogs, who went 1-14-4 last season.

To round out the non-conference part of their schedule, the Roadrunners will host both San Jose State and UNLV within a three-day span. One of CSUB's four wins last season came in a 2-1 victory over the Rebels, so the `Runners will surely be looking for a repeat result. CSUB then dives head-first into the conference slate of games, first against UC San Diego on the road before getting a ten-day break in anticipation for a home match against UC Davis. Bakersfield also gets back-to-back home games twice more in the conference schedule (LBSU/UH in September, UCI/CSF in October).

The 2023 season's conference championship presents another key opportunity for CSUB to fight for its first Big West crown. The first round begins on October 29, but there is no further information at this time.

For the full 2023 CSUB Women's Soccer schedule, visit GoRunners.com. `Runner fans interested Season Ticket opportunities can call the CSUB ticket office at 661-654-BLUE or 661-654-GOLD.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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