’Runners Pull Off Major Upset of No. 3 CSUDH
October 24, 2001

Bakersfield, Calif. — The playoffs started a week early for the Cal State Bakersfield men’s soccer team. Needing a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, the ’Runners came up with their biggest victory since the winning the 1997 NCAA Championship by defeating defending NCAA Champion Cal State Dominguez Hills 1–0 Wednesday night on the CSUB Main Soccer Field.

It was the most unlikely of scenarios for the Roadrunners, who needed at least a tie to make it to Saturday’s season finale with a chance to earn a CCAA Tournament berth. Cal State Dominguez Hills had an NCAA–best 29–game conference unbeaten streak dating back to 1998, including eight consecutive wins over CSUB.

But the ’Runners struck first and quickly Wednesday night. Barely two minutes into the game, sophomore midfielder Mark Melling drove a low, near–post corner kick right to the head of sophomore forward Alfredo Chavez. Chavez’s volley went unchallenged and the ’Runners found themselves leading 1–0.

CSUB maintained its composure and tempo for the balance of the first half, playing crisp, possession soccer while testing CSUDH on multiple forays into the Toro defensive third. But intermission brought out the best in the Toros, and after a brief ’Runners spurt to start the second half, the CSUB defense battened down the hatches to weather a ferocious CSUDH storm.

CSUDH out–shot the ’Runners 14–5 in the second half, putting eight shots on frame in the period. But the ’Runners featured their not–so–secret weapon in the person of freshman goalkeeper Josh Wicks. Wicks made a career–high 12 saves in the match—including eight in the second half—to earn his seventh shutout of the season. He is now tied with Toro senior Luis Morales for the conference lead in shutouts.

CSUDH, which long ago clinched its second–consecutive CCAA Central Division title, closes out its regular season with its annual homecoming game Saturday afternoon vs. Cal State L.A.

Shots on Goal CSUDH 20; CSUB 12

Fouls CSUDH 7; CSUB 7

Cautions/Ejections CSUDH–None CSUB–None

Corner Kicks CSUDH 9; CSUB 3

Goalie Saves CSUDH – Luis Morales 4; CSUB – Josh Wicks 12

Attendance: 415