The Bakersfield College’s soccer team finished the season with a five-game winning streak after a 3-2 win over Western State South Division Conference champions L.A. Pierce (12-1-1) Nov. 10 and closing at home with a 2-1 win against the College of the Canyons Nov. 13.
The game against Canyons was decisive for the Renegades’ aspirations to make it to the playoffs.
During the first half against Canyons, BC played the worst half of the season, according to Coach Dameron.
“We were very uninspired. We were just letting nerves get to us,” Dameron said.
The Renegades had their best chances after corner kicks, but the Canyons’ defense managed to save by the goal line. BC let the initiative to Canyons and in the 24th minute the Renegades suffered the consequences when Canyons’ midfielder Katherine Hall scored with a shot that left BC’s goalkeeper without a chance.
Ten minutes later, BC’s forward, Terryn Soelberg was fouled inside the penalty area. She took the penalty kick and missed it.
The Renegades spirit went down, and the game seemed to be served for Canyons. In the 41st minute Canyons’ defender Jessica Vera received a ball 15 yards outside the penalty area and shot straight to the crossbar.
The best thing for the Renegades was for the first half to be over.
For the second half, after Dameron’s speech, the Renegades showed a different attitude.
“We knew we got nothing left to lose,” Dameron said. “We were afraid to mess it up, but once they (the players) took the pressure off themselves they played more like they are capable of.”
With just two minutes in the second half, BC already had an approximation to goal when Torree Soelberg shot with little angle and hit the crossbar.
After the first 15 minutes of the second half, Dameron sent Torree from defense to play up front with her twin sister Terryn.
With Dameron’s adjustments, the Renegades were pushing back the Canyons into their own field and were playing with intensity.
In the 22nd minute, BC’s midfielder Morgan Hagen dribbled three defenders and with a right-foot shot collocated the ball on the left upper corner of the goal to tie the game.
Torree marked the difference on BC’s attack and in the 35th minute, she assisted her twin sister Terryn with a filtered pass. Terryn ran the ball fast and just when a defender was approaching her; she finished the play with a crossed shot that beat the Canyons’ goalkeeper and put BC ahead 2-1.
“They have some knowledge of each other (Soelberg sisters) in the way they play; [Torree] is a good attacking player. She can easily be a forward for us,” said Dameron. He explained that Torree plays defense because “she is really intelligent and strong, and we didn’t have a clear centre-back at the beginning of the season.”
The last 10 minutes BC held the ball and played consuming the time, giving no chance for the Canyons to tie the game.
The Renegades finished with an overall record of 11-7-2 and 9-3-2 in the WSC. During the last five games BC scored 20 goals and allowed only four.
At time of publication it was still unconfirmed if BC will make it to the playoffs. For more information please see our online publication at www.therip.com.