MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels moved to an impressing 4-0 at Saint Mary's Stadium this season and 5-0-2 on the season with a 2-0 victory over CSU Bakersfield on Friday afternoon. Saint Mary's dominated on their home turf and it didn't take long for Suzuna Shibukawa to break the deadlock, before Taylour Mendoza sealed the deal in the second half. 

NO TIME WASTED 
Shibukawa has had a flare for the dramatics this season, with her three earlier goals coming late in the second half coming against Cal Poly with a late brace and UC Riverside to secure the victories.  Against the Roadrunners, she took a calmer approach giving the Gaels the lead after just six minutes with just the second shot of the game. However, the goal was no less spectacular. She stripped the ball from Chloe Sizemore deep in Bakersfield's half and powered forward towards goal. Flavia Burrell came off her line to meet the midfielder, but the Shibukawa had just enough power in her shot to roll the ball in for her fourth goal of the season. 

COLD AS ICE
Shibukawa was involved in the second goal too in the 62nd minute. She received Kimaya Cole's throw-in to her feet and flicked the ball on down the left flank for Mendoza. The midfielder cut inside and fired a left-footed low effort from just inside the box that whistled past Burrell and into the far corner to double Saint Mary's lead. The strike was the junior's second goal of the season, with her first coming against Cal in a 1-1 draw. 

IN CONTROL
It was a very quiet afternoon for Taylor Poland in goal for the Gaels after making six saves in the previous 0-0 draw against Fresno State. The shot stopper was called into action to make one save in the 90 minutes, while the Roadrunners one other shot was off-target. The lack of shots by the visitors was a credit to the Gaels' dominance throughout the game. By limiting Bakersfield time on the ball and, for large periods of the game, forcing them to sit back while Saint Mary's pressed high, the Gaels were able to take 22 shots, with nine on target.

UP NEXT
The Gaels continue on a four-game home stand with UC Davies visiting Saint Mary's Stadium on Thursday September 16 at 4pm, before Nevada make the trip on Sunday September 19 at 1pm. 

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