Pepperdine and Cal State Bakersfield Box Score (Oct. 8, 2009)

MALIBU, Calif. - Freshman Michelle Manning's (Calabasas, Calif./Agoura HS) first career goal served as the game-winner in Pepperdine's 1-0 win over Cal State Bakersfield Thursday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.

The shutout victory - Pepperdine's sixth of the season - improved its overall record to 7-4 and home record to 5-1. The Roadrunners are winless over their last six contests in dropping to 4-8-1.

"We got another shutout which is a testament to our defense, but this was a tough game," head coach Tim Ward said. "Teams like Cal State Bakersfield don't get enough recognition. They beat Cal Poly and San Diego so we knew they were good. You can be beat by anybody on any day and I have a lot of respect for their coach and the program."

The goal was initiated by sophomore Myriah Stockman's (Sandy, Utah/Brighton HS) indirect free kick at the start of the 61st minute that followed a hard foul committed by CSUB. Stockman blasted her shot approximately 10 to 15 yards in front of the midfield stripe.

The ball floated into the goal area where it was first headed back by a Roadrunner defender, but Manning, who was standing atop the far corner of the 18, made a charge and fired the ball into the upper right-hand corner before it even had a chance to hit the ground.

"It was awesome," Manning said of her goal. "I was more excited than I think anyone else. It feels great. I got the ball at the top of the 18 and just whacked at it and it went in."

Manning's goal represented her first and only shot of the game, and her seventh this season through 10 games.

"It was great for Michelle to get that goal," added Ward. "It was a strike of scoring quality. A great goal for a match winner."

Pepperdine finished the match with nine shots, seven of which were placed on goal. Sophomore Laura Cole (Whittier, Calif./La Habra HS) led all players with four shots, including one that was knocked off the goal line by a Bakersfield defender.

For the Waves' defense it was business as usual. The back line held Bakersfield to seven shots, while freshman goalkeeper Roxanne Barker (Irvine, Calif.) came away with five saves for the third time in as many matches.

There were a few tense moments late in the match as Bakersfield pushed for and equalizer, but Barker made every easy catch in front of the net and her defenders made sure none of the Roadrunners received a clean look.

CSUB finished the match with seven shots, five of which were recorded in the second half.

Next up for Pepperdine is a 1 p.m. home match Sunday against crosstown rival Loyola Marymount in the West Coast Conference opener for both schools. The Waves can tie the Lions at 1-1 on the PCH Challenge Scorecard with a victory.

"We are excited for this weekend and the start of the WCC," Ward said. "LMU is a really good team and we need to be at our best. They are playing really well."