AKERSFIELD, Calif.--UC Riverside's Alexa Bustamante scored a pair of goals off of Amber Marani indirect kicks as the Highlanders defeated Bakersfield 2-0 in women's soccer action Sunday night.

Bustamante scored in the 14th and 55th minutes for UCR. The Roadrunners outshot the Highlanders 12-5 (6-3 on goal) and held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. UC Riverside goalie Elizabeth Silas made six saves including one on a Caroline Muoio (Fr., Carlsbad, Calif., Carlsbad HS) penalty kick with just over 20 minutes to go in the match.

"I’m really encouraged by tonight’s performance, said Bakersfield head coach Melissa Phillips. "We took a huge step forwards in the way that we want to play and committed to the process of it and it’s a bit unlucky. We’ve got to tighten up in a couple of areas in front of goal and just really not give up the same set piece twice and be able to move forward after the first one. But I’m very encouraged. We were definitely the better team tonight and we just have to keep moving forward from here."

Bakersfield opens Western Athletic Conference action for the first time this weekend when the Roadrunners play a home-and-home series against Utah Valley. CSUB is at Utah Valley Friday night at 7 p.m. (MDT) before the Wolverines travel to Bakersfield Sunday at 12 p.m.

~www.GoRunners.com~