By Esteban Ramirez

Assistant Sports Editor

Despite a hat trick from sophomore forward Hedda Regefalk, California State University, Bakersfield women’s soccer team couldn’t hold off a big second half from Seattle University as the Redhawks won 6-3 in a Western Athletic Conference game on Oct. 5 at the main soccer field.

With the game tied 2-2 at halftime, the Redhawks (7-3-1, 3-0 WAC) offense took advantage of a key injury to ’Runners senior defender Taylor French and took control in the second half.

The Redhawks started things off in the second half scoring in the 51st minute with a goal from senior forward Taylor Ritzman. They followed with a touch pass from Ritzman to senior forward Stephanie Verdoia in the 76th minute.

“I thought us losing Taylor French cost us a bit of problems, but we should’ve reacted a little different,” said CSUB head coach Gary Curneen. “I don’t think it had anything to do with the back four or the goalkeeper. I think it was the cover in front of her, and we just didn’t commit ourselves to doing that work higher up the field, which cost us problems further down the field.”

With the score at 4-2 in favor of the Redhawks, the ’Runners (1-10-1, 0-2 WAC) were able to get back in the game by scoring a goal immediately after them in the 76th minute from Regefalk. But the Redhawks responded with two goals from redshirt-sophomore midfielder Natasha Howe that put the game away. The first came in the 79th minute and the second came in the 83rd minute.

“I thought there were a lot of positives to take,” said Curneen. “Anytime you score three goals at home you expect to take something from the game and we should have. Credit to them they kept coming at us, but we feel like today was a missed opportunity.”

Redshirt-sophomore forward Whitney Strong, who had two assists, added that they didn’t stick to their spots defensively in the second half.

“I think people just didn’t stay on their marks, we didn’t really stay compact and we just didn’t work as well as we should have,” said Strong. “I know that we are capable of doing that, and I think we will do it really well next game.”

Regefalk said that she felt they let up in the second half.

“We came out with a mentality that we’re not going to concede any goals and that we’re going to get a result from this game, but I guess we just let up and let them score too easily.”

Verdoia led the way for the Redhawks with two goals and three assists, and Howe added two goals. Regefalk scored two of her three goals in the first half to keep the ’Runners in it. The first came right after a water break in the 22nd minute, and the second goal came in the final minute of the first half.

“I thought it was really good,” said Regefalk on her performance. “Obviously, I got three goals so that was great, and I think that’s what I need to do as a forward.”

Curneen said what he wants the team take away from this is belief that they can play with teams like the Redhawks.

“I think there is an inferiority complex in this group and program and there shouldn’t be,” he said. “For large spells of that game we were in that game, and as soon it’s close it’s like James Bond whenever he’s trying to kill a baddy, the baddy gets away every time. That’s the mentality that we’re looking to change. It takes a little bit of experience, but we’re disappointed not to get something from that.”

On Oct. 3, CSUB lost 2-1 in a close game to Utah Valley University (7-4-2, 2-1 WAC). The game was tied 1-1 at halftime after Regefalk scored at the 30th minute. The Wolverines would regain the lead in the second half when junior midfielder Jamie Brown scored at the 54th minute.

The ‘Runners will play at Utah Valley on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.