FRESNO, Calif. – Trailing for more than 75 minutes, Fresno State scored twice in the final four minutes to snatch a 2-1 victory over CSU Bakersfield on Sunday night at Bulldog Soccer Stadium. Ciara Wilson scored her second game-winner of the year, hammering in a loose ball in the 89th minute.
With kickoff temperatures hovering near triple digits, tensions proved to be high between the Valley rivals. The match saw 15 fouls and seven yellow cards issued and multiple stoppages for injuries.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Back in the starting XI, Kaelyn Miller nearly struck first just past the minute mark. Off a corner, a loose ball fell to the senior who hit a low shot that was stopped by the Roadrunner keeper. Miller pounced on the rebound but her second attempt was knocked off the line by a defender.
CSU Bakersfield opened the scoring in the 10th minute as Josie Novak found the back of the net. Sam Paepen almost leveled the match with a long, looping attempt that CSUB keeper Kamy Anaya had to tip over the crossbar.
The Bulldogs began piling shots up throughout the night to the tune of 17 with nine of those finding the target. That persistence paid off in the final minutes when their attempts found the net.
With just under four minutes remaining, a ball played into the box was knocked out to Paepen. The freshman ripped a low shot inside the right post to level the match.
Looking to end in a draw, Haley Espinoza played a ball into the box from the left side that, like Paepen's goal, was deflected out by a defender, but again, it landed at a Bulldogs' foot. This time it was Ciara Wilson who roofed the go-ahead goal with 79 seconds left on the clock.
NOTES
Fresno State moved to 4-1-1 on the year.
Fresno State's four nonconference wins is its most since 2019.
Fresno State earned its second come-from-behind win of the season after last earning one in 2021.
Fresno State's 17 shots and nine on target were both season-highs.
Junior Ciara Wilson scored her second goal and second game-winner this season. Both goals came in the final 90 seconds.
Freshman Sam Paepen scored her second goal of the season.
SCORING SUMMARY
9:27 – CSUB – Josie Novak (Solei Moton)
86:05 – FS – Sam Paepen
88:41 – FS – Ciara Wilson
UP NEXT
Fresno State will hit the road for the next two weeks, first traveling to Oregon State on Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.