Mark Duffel

Women's Soccer August 21, 2023 Written by James Tsitakis-Cecil

Meet CSUB Women's Soccer: Defenders

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – With the 2023 regular season already underway for the Cal State Bakersfield Women's Soccer team, new head coach Bernardo Silva is hitting the ground running in pursuit of the program's first Big West title.

After going 1-1 in the pre-season, including a 3-1 dominant performance against Master's University before giving Saint Mary's a run for its money, the Roadrunners opened up their season in familiar territory for coach Silva. With an away day at Sacramento State on Thursday, Aug. 17, Bernardo Silva expertly coached his CSUB side to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in a challenging first game that an important defensive player sent off with a straight red card in just the 24th minute. The `Runners had a determined second half that saw CSUB dominate possession and shots as Regielly "Lelly" Halldorsdottir slot home the tying header in the 78th minute from Penny Smith and Catalina Roggerone.

Just a day ago, Bakersfield played host to its home opener against cross-valley rivals Fresno State, falling to the Bulldogs in a slip-sliding affair marred by the arrival of Tropical Storm Hilary. Fresno State would take a 2-1 victory despite a desperate comeback attempt from the `Runners in the second half.

As the beginning of the season rolls on, we want to introduce fans to the team, providing more insight into the person behind the name, number, and uniform. Next up in our position-by-position breakdown of the `Runner women's soccer team, meet Bakersfield's defenders.

Notable

"I am excited to coach this back line that has a balance of experience and youth. There is a ton of accountability, competitiveness, and quality in this position led by our fifth-year senior, Chloe Sizemore, who exemplifies the underdog spirit of the Roadrunner, as well as Penny Smith who is an incredible competitor day-in-day-out. We are building our team from the back, as top defenses can win championships, and that is where we want to take this program."

`Runner Defenders

#2 Solei Moton (Returner)
- 5-foot-9, junior
- From Tucson, Ariz., went to Catalina Foothills HS
- In third year with the team as one of primary defenders on back line
- Previously played forward in last two seasons, joint-first on team for 3 assists in 2022
- Earned Academic All-Big West honors in 2022
- Played in Women's Premier Soccer League for Pima County Surf U21's last summer
- Appeared in 18 matches in each of first two seasons, totaling over 1100 minutes last year
#3 Penny Smith (Returner)
- 5-foot-7, junior
- From Los Angeles, went to Century Academy
- Transferred from Alabama, one of the best programs in the country
- Started all 18 matches in 2022, leading team with 1,539 minutes on the pitch
- Named as honorable mention in Big West All-Conference Team
- First-Year Honor Roll recipient at Alabama
- Earned Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence while in high school
#4 Alaina Granger (Newcomer)
- 5-foot-9, sophomore
- From Auckland, New Zealand
- Transferred from UTRGV after one season with program
- Has played in New Zealand U16's team
- Helped Northern Rovers FC club team to 2022 Women's Premier League championship
- Started all 18 matches at UTRGV in 2022, playing full 90 minutes in 12 matches
#6 Anela Nigito (Newcomer)
- 5-foot-8, sophomore
- From Capital, Mendoza, Argentina, went to Italian School XXI
- Came to CSUB as a freshman prior to 2022 season
- Competed for the Argentina U20's national team at the South American Championship
- Called up again to the U20's in the lead-up to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
- Starred as a freshman at CSUB in 2022, starting 15 times for 1,228 minutes
- Scored two goals and two assists, with first goal coming against CSUN
- Quad-sport athlete in soccer, horse riding, swim, and dance before CSUB
#15 Kiara Oliver (Returner)
- 5-foot-6, junior
- Native of Bakersfield, Calif., went to Liberty HS
- With team since before 2020 season but spent first year on the COVID waiver
- Earned Academic All-Big West honors in 2022 while playing 16 games on back line
- Played all 19 games in 2021 freshman year, logging third-most minutes (1,246)
- First Team All-League honors all four years of high school
- National Honors Society member, LHS Heisman High School Scholar Athlete Award winner
#22 Brynn Phillips (Returner)
- 5-foot-6, sophomore
- Native of Bakersfield, Calif., went to Liberty HS
- Joined CSUB as freshman before 2022 season, playing five games in first year
- Impressive pre career, leading goal scorer in 2020 for South Valley Surf G04 team
- Five SWYL titles for LHS between two sports: track & field and soccer
- Coaches youth soccer in the local area during the offseason
#25 Jenna Largent (Newcomer)
- 5-foot-11, freshman
- From Riverside, Calif., went to Riverside Polytechnic HS
- Named Defensive MVP and First Team All-League honors in senior year
- Principal's Athlete of the Year and Maya Avila Award winner at Riverside Poly
- Helped team win league in 2021-22 and 2022-23, including undefeated run in 2022-23

Up Next on the Schedule

Dual road games one day apart
at Northern Arizona
- Friday, Aug. 25, 7:00 p.m. (PT)
at Grand Canyon
- Sunday, Aug. 27, 1:00 p.m. (PT)
Season Ticket and Single-Game Ticket information available at GoRunners.com/Tickets.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#2 Solei Moton: D; 5' 9"; Junior

#6 Anela Nigito: D; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#15 Kiara Oliver: D; 5' 6"; Junior; She/Her/Hers

#22 Brynn Phillips: D; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#5 Catalina Roggerone: M; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#23 Chloe Sizemore: M; 5' 6"; Senior

#3 Penny Smith: D; 5' 7"; Junior

#4 Alaina Granger: D; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#25 Jenna Largent: D; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Solei Moton
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D

#6 Anela Nigito
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: D

#15 Kiara Oliver
: 5' 6"; Junior; She/Her/Hers
: D

#22 Brynn Phillips
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: D

#5 Catalina Roggerone
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: M

#23 Chloe Sizemore
: 5' 6"; Senior
: M

#3 Penny Smith
: 5' 7"; Junior
: D

#4 Alaina Granger
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: D

#25 Jenna Largent
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: D

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

Meet CSUB Women's Soccer: Defenders

Players Mentioned

#2 Solei Moton

#6 Anela Nigito

#15 Kiara Oliver

#22 Brynn Phillips

#5 Catalina Roggerone

#23 Chloe Sizemore

#3 Penny Smith

#4 Alaina Granger

#25 Jenna Largent

Players Mentioned

#2 Solei Moton

#6 Anela Nigito

#15 Kiara Oliver

#22 Brynn Phillips

#5 Catalina Roggerone

#23 Chloe Sizemore

#3 Penny Smith

#4 Alaina Granger

#25 Jenna Largent