Jeff's Journal: Cal State Bakersfield Was Most Exciting Game of Season
A Diary by Jeff Kunze, Toros Soccer Player
October 28, 2002

I want to apologize to anyone who missed our game last Wednesday because you missed the most exciting game of the season. It was an unbelievable game. We started off dominating Cal State Bakersfield. We had about 80% of the possession and we were getting great scoring opportunities. Well, we finished most of our scoring opportunities and went into half with a 3-0 lead.

We knew that whoever won this game would move to the number one position in the Far West Regional Rankings. We went into the second half and came out ready to play. We dominated them for a good 84 minutes of the game. With the score 4-1 in the 85th minute, we knew we had clinched the victory. However, Bakersfield did not give up. They came at us with everything they had. A couple turnovers later, the score was tied. They had scored three goals in one minute and nine seconds. Everyone was in disbelief. This only meant one thing, we would have to win the game in overtime or else it would end in a draw.

We all got into a huddle, legs exhausted and minds delusional, and said a couple words.

"This is where we dig down deep and show what we are made of!!! Let's show how bad we want this game and let Bakersfield know that they do not come into our house and come away with a victory!!!"

Our team had a new found source of energy and strength. We knew that we would push through this game as a team and come away victorious. About seven minutes into the first overtime, a ball was crossed to Gabriel Valencia and he finished it with his head. We had won the game and definitely earned it.

So now we are looking forward to going up to Sonoma to play in the Conference Tournament. We are going to play UC San Diego for our first game and the winner plays either Sonoma or Bakersfield. I know that our team would love to beat San Diego and get another chance to play Bakersfield in the finals because they escaped from us last game but we are ready to show them what the score should have looked like.

That about wraps it up for this entry.

Till Next Time,
Jeff

PS- I want to wish Joe Flanagan and Sheila Cook a Happy Birthday!!