OTTERS vs. BANANA SLUG HIGHLIGHTS

SEASIDE, Calif. — A perfectly struck free kick from Miranda Rudolph (Clovis/Buchanan HS) and a strong defensive effort proved the perfect combination to lead the Cal State Monterey Bay women's soccer team to a 1–0, nonconference win over Central Coast rival UC Santa Cruz Sunday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex.

Rudolph's goal, a hard, low shot around the wall from 25 yards out in the 47th minute, left diving UCSC keeper Malia Starita no chance. It was Rudolph's first as an Otter and her first collegiate strike since she scored for Fresno State against Gonzaga in 2014.

From that point, the Otter defense carried the day with help from a strikeforce that out–shot the Banana Slugs 10–1 in the second half. UCSC managed just three shots for the match and put just one of those on frame.

Junior keeper Victoria Whyte (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis HS) made CSUMB's lone save. She gave way to sophomore Alyssa Noh (Aliso Niguel HS) at the interval as the pair combined on CSUMB's sixth shutout of the season.
 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Miranda Rudolph beat Malia Starita with a free kick in the 47th minute. UCSC did not threaten the Otter goal from that point to the match's conclusion.

THAT'S QUITE OFFENSIVE…  Sunday's goal was the 18th of the season for CSUMB the fourth most the Otters have ever scored at the NCAA Division II level. The Otter Division II standard for goals in a season is 21 set by the 2006 and 2015 squads.

KEEP IT CLEAN… Sunday's shutout was the sixth of the season for CSUMB, matching the program's NCAA Division II record for shutouts in a season set in 2013. 

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Miranda Rudolph 2; GOALS: Miranda Rudolph 1; ASSISTS: None; SHOTS: Ashlee Cortez 3; SAVES: Victoria Whyte 1.

THE FINAL WORD... "While we started a little slow, we really came out attacking to start he second half. We were able to back UCSC up and create a lot of goal scoring chances. We were unlucky to not convert on many of the opportunities but it was nice to find our atacking rythym. We are hoping to bring that mentality into our last four conference game." -Head Coach Laura VanWart.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters hit the road for their final regular season trip of the 2017 season. The 2–match journey begins Friday (Oct. 20) at Stanislaus State. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. as the opening match of men's/women's doubleheader action.