Bakersfield at Sacramento State, Aug. 17

• The Cal State Bakersfield women's soccer team officially opened the 2023 season on the road on Thursday.
• CSUB Head Coach Bernardo Silva was tasked with leading his new squad into battle at his former home, Sacramento State, where he spent five seasons coaching the Hornets.
• Silva's `Runners controlled the pace of play for the first 25 minutes until an unfortunate moment flipped the momentum in Sacramento State's favor. Bakersfield's senior captain, Chloe Sizemore, was issued a red card for preventing a goal scoring opportunity on the goal line with her arm.
• The Hornets converted the penalty kick for a 1-0 lead and the `Runners had to play down a woman for the final 65 minutes.
• CSUB came roaring out of haltfime and eventually put together a great play from outside the box from Catalina Roggerone and Penny Smith that led to a Regielly Halldorsdottir header to tie the game in the 79th minute.
• Bakersfield retained a strong portion of possession through the second half and fended off would-be chances from the Hornets to seal a well-earned road draw, 1-1

Bakersfield vs. Fresno State, Aug. 20

• Fresno State and Cal State Bakersfield battled for bragging rights over the Central Valley in a contest marred by the storms that Tropical Storm Hilary brought over Bakersfield.
• Both teams fought evenly for a majority of the first half, either side trying desperately to settle the ball in the rainy conditions. Fresno State finally broke through in the 31st minute during a net-front scramble.
• The Bulldogs slotted another goal not too long after and finished the first half with a commanding 2-0 lead over a CSUB team that was looking to make its many chances count.
• The `Runners continued to pound the through-ball and break through the defensive backline time-and-time-again. Hailey Russell was finally able to post up in front of the opposing keeper as Jette Zimmer provided the assist, cutting away at the Fresno State lead to 2-1 with 21 minutes to go.
• Despite leading the second half in shots and possession, the `Runners could not quite find the other goal needed to tie, allowing Fresno State to go home with the 2-1 victory.
• Coach Silva on the loss: "We talk a lot about not finding excuses, but just finding a way. We needed to come out and compete regardless. Fresno State was simply the better team today… We look to convert better against NAU next week."
• The `Runners hit the road for a pair of matches in Arizona this week.
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CSUB hosted California Baptist and traveled to UCLA, a pair of 2022 NCAA Tournament participants

• The Roadrunners dropped a pair of one-goal exhibitions this week.
• Bakersfield hosted California Baptist on Tuesday at the Main Soccer Field, ultimately falling 2-1 to the Lancers.
• CSUB opened the scoring in the 30th minute on a leaping header by Connor Mautino, but the visitors tied the score 1-1 just over two minutes later.
• Bakersfield had a go-ahead goal waved off before CBU netted a game winner in the 84th minute.
• Newcomer Brandon Limes made eight saves for the `Runners.
• On Saturday, Cal State Bakersfield battled against UCLA, a Sweet Sixteen team from last season.
• The host Bruins struck early for a goal four minutes into the match.
• Bakersfield recovered and went stride-for-stride with UCLA after that, but neither team was able to score in the defensive battle as the Bruins held on for the 1-0 victory.
• Adam Grant on the UCLA match: “This was another top opponent for our last preseason game. We started a little slow and conceded an early goal, but tactically we played much better in the second half, having a few great goal-scoring chances. I believe these past two preseason games have set us up well for a tough San Jose State team.”
• CSUB has wrapped up its three-match exhibition slate and will kick off the regular season at home later this week.
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