Bakersfield Christian High School was the place to be on Friday July 21st, as Bakersfield’s own, Premier Development League (PDL) Soccer Team, The Bakersfield Brigade, closed out their 2006 home schedule with and impressive 5-2 victory over the California Gold.

 

The Gold outshined the Brigade in the first half as the Brigade fell behind in the 21st minute of play when Cal Defender Lauro Garcia sneaked his way past the Brigade Defense and blasted a shot past diving Brigade Goal Keeper Kyle Renish. The Gold then added a second goal shortly after when in the 27th minute of play Midfielder and leading scorer for the Gold, Uriel Robledo, placed his shot in the back of the Brigade net for a 2-0 lead. However, just before the end of the first half sneaked his way past the Brigade Defense and blasted a shot past diving Brigade Goal Keeper Kyle Renish. The Gold then added a second goal shortly after when in the 27th minute of play Midfielder and leading scorer for the Gold, Uriel Robledo, placed his shot in the back of the Brigade net for a 2-0 lead. However, just before the end of the first half Brigade Head Coach and starting forward Jay Gore sneaked a well placed shot past Cal’s Goal Keeper after a well placed cross by Brigade Defender Andrew Kelley. Gore scored his second goal of the game in the 57th minute of play when he broke through the Cal Defense and found the back of the Cal net to tie the game at 2 a piece.

 

MLS Veteran of 8 years, Francisco Gomez, added two goals to the Brigade victory in the 68th and 89th minute of play, with assists from Lyle Martin and Kyle Gookins. Brigade’s leading scorer, Lyle Martin, fired in his ninth goal of the season in the 90th minute of play to seal the Brigade victory. This victory marks the third come from behind win for the Brigade this season.

 

The win over the California Gold left the Brigade with a 7-8 record (21 points); an improvement over last season. The Brigade looked to improve their record as they traveled North on Sunday July 23rd, to take on the Fresno Fuego.

 

The Brigade is a PDL soccer team, playing within the United Soccer Leagues’ PDL Southwestern Conference, which is made up of 9 teams throughout California.