Heading into enemy territory and hungry for redemption, the Cal State Bakersfield women’s soccer team will be heading to Harder Stadium this week to face UC Santa Barbara on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 1:00 PM, for a rematch of last year’s nail-biting Big West Championship game.  

In the previous meeting between these two teams, regulation and extra time weren’t enough, with the game ending in a 2-2 tie, forcing a penalty kick shootout. Santa Barbara prevailed 8–7, bringing the Runners incredible season and postseason journey to an end. 

This season, the Runners, led by new head coach Whitney Pitalo, currently hold an overall record of 4 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws (4-5-2). While also having a conference record of 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 draw (1-1-1). With big wins over Boise State and Fresno State, they emphasize some key achievements in their season, reflecting their ability to compete effectively within a challenging and competitive landscape. 

After successfully breaking a 15-year Championship drought, the UC Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer team has started the current season with an overall record of 8 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws (8-2-3). Santa Barbara also holds an impressive home record of 4 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw (4-2-1), leading up to their meeting with the Runners. 

Both Cal State Bakersfield and Santa Barbara boast excellent goalkeepers, showcasing impressive performance statistics. Cal State’s Kamy Anaya leads with a save percentage (SV%) of .796, while Santa Barbara’s Maddie Buckley tops the charts with a remarkable .829 SV%. These figures indicate the high level of skill and effectiveness both goalkeepers have demonstrated in their respective teams, contributing significantly to their defensive strengths. 

This all leads up to a great soccer game on Sunday, where we get to see talent on the field and redemption on the line.