Box Score
TURLOCK — In an early-season showdown of two of the top women's soccer programs in the region, the host Cal State Stanislaus Warriors came out on top in spectacular fashion with an exciting 2-0 win over Cal Baptist.
Katelyn Nebesnick scored twice, including a penalty kick goal, in the second half to lead the Warriors over the Lancers. Cal Baptist is the two-time defending Pacific West Conference champions with a roster-full of players with many conference and regional accolades.
The Warriors (2-0-0) out-played the Lancers from the get-go and held strong throughout the match on both ends of the field.
"That was an exciting match in front of a terrific home crowd. Cal Baptist is an outstanding team and they really put us to the test," head coach Gabriel Bolton said. "The team did a great job of preparing for the match and really executed the game plan to perfection."
Cal Baptist (0-2-0) was coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at Chico State on Thursday after a 2-0 lead. CBU escaped some first-half Stanislaus scoring chances and goalkeeper Leigh Ann Lindsey made some nice stops to keep the match close.
Nebesnick almost found the back of the net twice within a four-minute stretch. In the 13th minute, she hit the left post and in the 17th minute she nailed the right post. Karenee Demery also had a scoring chance at 17:02 that went just wide left.
Demery, of course, was doubled- and tripled-teammed often and in the 61st minute she was sandwiched and knocked down inside the box to give the Warriors a PK chance.
Nebesnick found the other part of the goal frame and hit the cross bar, but hit it just right and hard enough to give Stanislaus a 1-0 lead at 60:13.
Her second score came in the 89th minute when after a Stanislaus chance, CBU defenders tried to clear but Nebesnick intercepted the pass, juked some Lancers and booted a hard shot past a diving Lindsey to make it 2-0.
"Katelyn is one of the most determined players I've ever coached," commented Bolton. "Hitting the post twice in the first half might discourage someone, but that made Katelyn more motivate. It was great to see her put two away!"
Meanwhile, the Warriors held off a CBU offense that featured PacWest player of the year Bernadette Witz (16 goals in 2012) and All-PacWest Kelly Jenks (16 goals in 2012). The Warriors out-shot the Lancers, 18-8 with a 10-1 corner kick advantage.
Goalkeeper Chelsea Lewandowski earned her second shutout of the year with four saves while her opposing goalie Lindsey picked up seven saves.
"Our defense was outstanding tonight and really shut down some dynamic attacking players," said Bolton.
Cal State Stanislaus will open California Collegiate Athletic Association play next Friday when it hosts Cal State San Bernardino.
