SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Visiting Cal State Bakersfield scored the lone goal of the match in the 62nd minute and the Roadrunners held off host Sacramento State for a 1-0 victory in the Big West Conference opener for both teams on Wednesday evening at Hornet Soccer Field.

After an evenly played scoreless first half that saw junior goalkeeper Lucas Bost make three of his five saves and had some help from the woodwork on another attempt in the first 15 minutes, it was Cal State Bakersfield that broke through close to midway through the second half for the eventual game-winner.

Philip Arras settled an attempted clear by the Hornets' defense and chipped a ball back in the box for Justin Knighton, who timed his run perfectly to avoid that offside flag on the back post and headed the ball back across into the left side netting for the 1-0 lead.

Zac Giles and Fernando Venegas both forced the Bakersfield goalkeeper into saves following the score, while Jonathan Dadzie had another attempt curve away from the left corner, but the Hornets could not dent the back of the net.

CSUB held a narrow 14-13 lead in shot attempts, putting six on goal to the Hornets' three, while Bost's five saves fell just one shy of his Sacramento State career high. Sophomore Eli Reyneveld finished with a team-high three shot attempts for the Hornets — one of nine players to finish with an attempt on the evening.

Sacramento State continues league play at home on Saturday (Oct. 4), hosting Cal State Fullerton at 4 p.m.