One week removed from a frightening 7-1 loss to Ventura on Sept. 5, the Renegades women’s soccer team posted a shutout on the road against Contra Costa with a final score of 5-0.
Leading the charge early against the Comets was midfielder/forward Victoria Pyle. Pyle’s footprints were on the ball throughout the afternoon chipping in a goal in the second minute setup by teammate Tina LaFore and assisting two minutes later to Rosario Rodriguez.
Shortly after, Pyle scored once again in the eighth minute to extend BC’s lead to 3-0. LaFore added another goal before half, and Teresa Martin ended an overall dominant performance from the Renegades in the 70th minute to cap it off, as the defense allowed zero shots on goal all afternoon to give Contra Costa their fourth straight loss of the season.
Another early season test for the women’s soccer team took place the following day on Saturday, Sept. 13 against National Soccer Coaches Asssociation of America’s (NSCAA) 17th national ranked team, Feather River College, in Livermore.
A slow start on both ends, BC drew first blood in the 35th minute as Cassandra Boyer scored the first goal of the night. Coming out of the half, the momentum stayed with the Renegades as Cassandra Lopez increased the Renegades lead to 2-0 over the Golden Eagles 10 minutes into the second period.
However, Feather River would not be denied from keeping the game within reach. Golden Eagles striker Sherifatu Sumaila capitalized in the 71st minute to inch closer to the Renegades’ 2-1 lead. The inch, however, become a miracle two minutes later as Victoria Pyle continued her impressive week to add a statement goal in the 73rd minute as the upset in Livermore became a heart-warming moment for the Renegades women’s team defeating Feather River, 3-2.
After a battle-tested weekend, Captain Pyle was named Western State Conference (WSC) Player of the Week for her performance that included 3 goals and 2 assists in back-to-back nights on the road.
Continuing a sufficient road-trip with a 3-1 record, BC faced West Hills Lemoore (2-2) on Thursday, Sept. 18. Despite one goal apiece early on (BC, LaFore, 15th min.; West Hills, K. Jordan, 31st min.), both teams failed to find an offensive rhythm — settling for a 1-1 draw; the first for both respective teams’ season.
The latest stop for the Renegades’ nine-game road stand was back in Visalia this past Saturday, where the ladies faced Victor Valley College. “We were pumped from the time we got on the bus till we stepped on the field; everyone was just on point,” recalls defender Cassie Boyer as Bakersfield cruised to a 8-2 victory over the Rams.
Covering approximately 1,490 miles in a 30-day span with still about 438 miles to go the next two weeks, the women’s soccer team will play two more games down in Los Angles before making their highly anticipated home debut on Oct. 7 vs. Antelope Valley College.
Volleyball
The Renegades volleyball team would go on to win their first road match this year against Allan Hancock College 25-23, 25-17, 25-22, to improve their record on the year to 2-3.
The win was a team effort, with a couple of key players stepping up for the Renegades. Bakersfield was led offensively by Kourtney Grantz and Tyler Herring. Grantz would finish with a double-double with 17 kills and 17 digs while Herring finished with 15 kills.
The defense was anchored by Libero Lorena Ramirez, who led the team with 22 digs and five service aces. Stephanie Lugo had a big night for Bakersfield, she would go on two late game 5 point serving runs while also posting 4 aces. Setter Jade Delgadillo finished with 37 set assists and 9 digs.
This win exemplifies the “certain style of play” coach Ferreira wants from his team as they headed into the San Diego Mesa Invitational Tournament in which they lost their first match to the hosting team, 3-1.
However, the Renegades regained their focus and won their following match against Victor Valley, 3-1 as Grantz had a match-high of 20 kills to go along with 12 digs.
With a taste of their last tournament coming up at Pierce College in Los Angeles this coming weekend, the Renegades volleyball team will start off October here at the Gil Bishop Gymnasium versus a familiar foe – Santa Barbara College – who earlier in the month defeated Bakersfield on their floor in all three sets.