It was a hot Wednesday morning in Bakersfield as the Sac State Hornets won their Big West opening match 1-0 to the California State University, Bakersfield Roadrunners. 

RELATED: Sac State men’s soccer falls to CSU Bakersfield 2-0

Both teams came into this match off of a loss. 

The Hornets started the match very fast. Whilst the Roadrunners were still adjusting and seemed off pace. 

In the 11th minute of the match the Hornets were able to make a play, where junior midfielder Francisco Magaña was able to find junior midfielder Cody Sundquist after a through ball and was able to score. 

“I really been wanting to get on the scoresheet,” Sundquist said, “I’m just super happy and glad I could help the team”

Sundquist scored his first goal of the season and his first goal for the Hornets since his transfer from UCLA. 

The Roadrunners tightened play up laterin the second half, but nothing came of it. The Roadrunners got back into the game as the first half ended with the Hornets up 1-0. 

The Hornets out shot the Roadrunners with nine shots on goal to six shots from the Roadrunners.  

In the second half, the Roadrunners had a close shot on-goal, but sophomore goalkeeper Mac Learned was able to stop the shot and grab the ball, keeping the Hornets from conceding their lead. 

Outside of that there wasn’t much action in the second half, but the Hornets shot 11 times while the Roadrunners had only four. 

Learned made another save towards the end of the second half after a Roadrunner was able to find a shot from outside the box. The ball didn’t have much power and Learned caught the ball with ease. 

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CSU BAKERSFIELD ATHLETICS

Hornet junior defender Genaro Alfaro takes on California State University, Bakersfield Roadrunner sophomore defender Bilal Mohoubi, at the Main Soccer Field in Bakersfield on Wednesday Sept 28, 2022. Alfaro was a key defender in the Hornets 1-0 win over the Roadrunners, as the Hornets picked up a shutout win.

“First win on the road, first win in conference, kept a shutout,” Learned said. “It’s really good” 

Learned was able to get his first clean sheet in conference and his second this season. After the Hornet’s prevented the Roadrunners from tying the game.  

“We feel good with a win on the road – in conference play,” Head coach Michael Linenberger said. “No win is easy.” 

The Hornets start the Big West conference with three points. 

They move to 6-2-2. Facing UC San Diego on the road at La Jolla on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.