California Baptist University
2-0-0, 0-0-0
CSU Bakersfield
0-2-0, 0-0-0
First Half Heroics Earn CBU an Opening Night Win
8/14/2025 10:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist women's soccer team opened the 2025-26 athletic year strong with a 1-0 win over California State University, Bakersfield on Thursday evening at home in Riverside. Newcomer Jess Ramirez was the lone Lancer to find the back of the net before the CBU defense would weather the storm of the Roadrunner's relentless offense through the second half to secure its first win of the year.
"Proud of this team to get the first win of 2025," remarked Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. "Not the cleanest game, but we showed resilience and grit. At the end of the night, we got the result. Everything else, we can go back to the training field and clean up".
The first half of the match proved to be competitive, with both squads firing off just seven shots and earning two corners each. With her back to the goal, Ava Westlund held off a Bakersfield defender at the top of the box and passed a smooth ball back to Ramirez, who laced it perfectly with her left foot off the far post into the back of the net. The fifth-minute goal gave CBU an early lead that the squad never relinquished for the remaining 85 minutes.
The second half was all Roadrunner offense as CSUB came out of the halftime huddle with momentum as they were on the hunt for the equalizer. Mikayla O'Brien and the Lancers weathered 15 shots and 11 corners during the final 45 minutes. St. Clair's defense showed impeccable discipline as O'Brien came up with a total of 10 saves during her time between the posts.
"Great combination between Ava and Jess for the goal! We created some good chances and could have had a couple more. Our back line was solid and cleaned up a lot of potential challenges," continued St. Clair. "Mikayla stepped up in goal, making some key saves as well. There are a lot of positives to take away from this game as we go back to training and begin preparing for our next opponent".
The win over Bakersfield gives CBU a fantastic start to the season as the Lancers are now 1-0 and will turn their attention to #5 USC on Sunday evening in Los Angeles.
Team Stats
Jessica Ramirez (2)
Assisted By: Ava Westlund
GOAL by CBU Ramirez, Jessica Assist by Westlund, Ava.
04:21
