Sports Editor
A flurry of second half goals by Sacramento State was the difference against CSU Bakersfield in a women’s soccer match Sunday afternoon at the Main Soccer Field.
“We lost momentum of the game in the first half,” said CSUB coach Gary Curneen. “When we were on top, we didn’t take our chances. I think if we kept the foot on the throttle we could have taken care of business.”
The Hornets (5-4) scored a pair of goals early in the second half to tie the game and then take lead.
In the 48th minute, a cross from senior forward Andrea Boehm found freshman forward Kylee Kim-Bustillos, who scored to tie the game at 1.
Then, in the 54th minute, the Hornets took a 2-1 lead. A pass from sophomore midfielder Bonnie Ford found Boehm, who netted the go-ahead score.
Sacramento State iced the game in the 67th minute when the Hornets took a 3-1 lead.
Freshman midfielder Ariana Nino scored off a pass from sophomore midfielder Mikayla Reed.
“I don’t think we were fatigued,” said redshirt-junior midfielder Alexa Orrante. “I think we let down, but we were in the game metally. We just need to finish.”
CSUB led 1-0 at the end of the first half.
The Roadrunners’ (5-5) only goal of the match came in the 19th minute from Orrante. She stole the ball deep in Hornets’ territory, juked the goalie and sent it in. It was her fifth goal of the season.
Despite allowing three goals, sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Bertram recorded five saves and held the Hornets scoreless in the first half.
“Jordan Bertram made like 2 or 3 amazing saves, she’s having a really good year,” said redshirt-junior forward Aminah Settles. “Our back line has been solid, we’re definitely happy with them.”
Sacramento State outshot the Roadrunners 19-11 on the afternoon, including 11-5 in the second half.
Late in the first half, freshman forward Naryia Hudson had an opening to score but her shot deflected off the cross bar. It would have been her first career goal.
“We’d like to get another win or two before conference play starts, just to get that confidence boost,” said Curneen. “It’s growth at this stage of the season, and we’ll continue to grow.”
Up next, CSUB will travel to Stockton to take the University of Pacific on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. The Roadrunners next home game is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. versus UC Riverside.
