MORAGA, Calif. - The final 10 minutes of the match was filled with action as the Gaels put two goals in the back of the net and CSU Bakersfield put one. Saint Mary's women's soccer team pulled out their first win in Moraga 2-1.
FIRST HALF SMC 0-0 CSU BAKERSFIELD
The Roadrunners put up the first shot of the night, two minutes into the match with SMC goalkeeper
Isabella Banuelos keeping the match scoreless. Between the 10th and 12th minute, four shots were put up, two by Saint Mary's
Tessa Salvestrin who shot wide left both times and CSU Bakersfield Sara Ybarra and Isis Salazar-Ortega each shooting an attempt.
The Gaels remained in the Roadrunners territory as
Briana Salvetti shot, saved by CSU Bakersfield goalkeeper,
Taylor Kessler shot wide left, and another save for the Roadrunners keeper after
Alessandra Towle attempted her first of the night.
In the 29th minute, the Gaels had their closest attempt as Kessler shot and it was blocked by their goalkeeper Hollee Hercik. With the block, the ball returned back to Kessler and she attempted once more before the half ended where it was blocked by CSU Bakersfield defense.
In the first half, the Gaels maintained 53% possession and outshot the Roadrunners 10-4.
FINAL SMC 2-1 CSU BAKERSFIELD
Saint Mary's came out strong in the second half as
Savannah Schwarze shot high and not even two minutes later
Sydney Middaugh challenged Roadrunners goalkeeper Hercik for another shot.
The game remained a back and forth battle with shots going up for both teams; however,
Tessa Salvestrin was the Gael applying the most pressure as she attempted two shots both being saved by Hercik.
With only 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Gaels drew a foul resulting in a yellow card for CSU Bakersfield. That led Saint Mary's with an attempt roughly 23 yards out lining up Salvestrin for the perfect opportunity to put SMC on the board. Once the whistle blew, Salvestrin launched the ball past the wall into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
Not even three minutes later, the Roadrunners answered by putting a goal on the scoreboard to even the score; however, 20 seconds later the Gaels took back the lead. For the first time in her collegiate career, freshman
Maddie Lucas put the ball in the back of the net with the help of her teammate
Taylour Mendoza.
CSU Bakersfield tried to answer the Gaels one more time, but goalkeeper Banuelos saved the shot from Ybarra to end the game.
By the end of the match, SMC maintained 55% of possession, outshot CSU Bakersfield 17-12, and Banuelos had three saves of the night, which happens to be her second highest in a game.
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