BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--CSU Bakersfield (8-4-4, 5-3 MPSF) scored a pair of goals in the first half and used a tough defense to shutout the University of Denver (8-5-3, 3-4-1 MPSF) 2-0 Friday night at CSUB's Main Soccer Field.

Senior Justin Finch (Bakersfield, Calif., Southwest Baptist) scored his first goal since the 2010 season on a penalty kick at 27:44. The penalty kick was awarded to CSUB when Gyasi Zardes (R-Jr., Hawthorne, Calif., Leuzinger HS) was taken down inside the goalkeeper's box. David Velasquez (R-So., Los Angeles, Calif., Locke HS) scored a little under five minutes later, taking a Zardes pass and converting from five yards out. Lucas Dall'Orso (So., Orange County, Calif., JSerra Catholic HS) also earned an assist on the play.

Roadrunner goalie Eric Shannon (Sr., Valencia, Calif., Valencia HS) earned his fifth shutout of the season, and 27th of his career against the Pioneers. Shannon made two saves on both Denver shots put on goal.

"I think the effort was all in the first half," said CSUB head coach Simon Tobin. "We scored two goals in the first half and then in the second half we kind of took our foot off the pedal a little bit, but I feel like we still played well for most of game. It was a good performance for us against a good Denver team, that was coming off a good weekend and has a good RPI. So this win is more than the three points in the conference for us, it's a great result."

The Roadrunners extended its lead in the MPSF's Pacific Division to three points as San Jose State fell 1-0 to New Mexico while UNLV defeated Air Force 3-2 in overtime Friday night. CSUB has 15 points, UNLV has 12, while San Jose State has 10. The Roadrunners host Air Force Sunday in the final home match of the season. Kick is set for 1 p.m. with a pregame ceremony being held for the CSUB seniors.

~www.GoRunners.com~

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