BAKERSFIELD — With less than two minutes left in regulation on Friday, the Bakersfield Renegades found the breakthrough they had been searching for all night. Forward Andrew Nava (3) delivered the decisive goal, lifting Bakersfield to a 1–0 victory over AVC and capping off their regular season on a six-game winning streak as they head into their postseason opener on Nov. 19 against Glendale.
The match remained tight from start to finish, with both sides trading possession and chances in a defensive battle. Bakersfield controlled much of the second half but struggled to break through until the closing moments, when consistent pressure finally paid off. Nava’s late strike sent the bench and traveling fans into celebration, solidifying momentum at the most crucial point of the season.
Despite the slim margin, Bakersfield’s composure in a high-stakes match stood out. The team’s experience—despite a young roster—proved valuable in the tense final minutes.
Head coach Vayron Martinez said his players showed maturity under pressure “I mean, just the adversity, they faced it very well. There was a lot at stake in this game. At times it seemed like we panicked a bit, but the experience of those boys that played here last year drove us through. We didn’t panic and we found a way.”
Looking ahead to the postseason, the head coach Vayron Martinez emphasized momentum but cautioned against complacency.
“Anytime you can ride a good winning streak, you’ve got to feel good, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We just have to get healthy and make a run in the playoffs.”
Midfielder Luis Gil (6) reflected on the long road to this moment.
“It’s a really good feeling. We worked since summer camp. A lot of us didn’t really know each other, but everyone brought heart and passion. Now we head into playoffs confident after beating top teams.”
Forward Andrew Nava (3) said his late goal was the product of belief.
“We felt it coming. It was a really close game, but to score in the last two minutes is an indescribable feeling. We worked so hard for it. Our defense has been strong all year, and now the whole team is getting hot at the right time.”