The Santa Barbara City College Women’s Soccer team dominated in a 4-0 win over Bakersfield on Thursday night, kicking off the 2026-27 athletic year with a bang.

Two goals from newcomer Alia Collins and spectacular finishes from freshmen Morgan Retterer and Malia Misawa made the difference.

“Scoring four goals in an opening game and earning a shutout is the best way to start a season,” Head Coach Alex Zermeno said.

It was a rematch of Bakersfield’s 2-0 home win early last year. But the Vaqueros started this game clearly as the team with greater confidence.

Just a few minutes in, Giselle Najera‘s deflected shot hit off the post, and her follow-up went wide. It felt like an unlucky result for a few minutes until Collins—a transfer from Division II Fresno Pacific—scored the opening goal. It was created by the Vaqueros’ aggressive press as Olivia Del Castillo won the ball high up the pitch on the right wing at the edge of the penalty area.

Shortly after, Collins hammered home off the underside of the crossbar to bag a first-half brace. Now with an early 2-0 lead, Santa Barbara controlled possession and dictated the flow of the game for a period.

Leilani Sanchez later found the back of the net but was deemed to have been slightly offside. However, Retterer quickly followed with a screamer from just outside the top of the box over the outstretched reach of the Bakersfield goalkeeper. That one definitely counted, and the Vaqueros went into the half up 3-0.

“Morgan [Retterer] was unbelievable in the middle of the field,” Zermeno said, deeming her one of the team’s top performers on the night.

About 15 minutes into the second half, Bakersfield had a decent shot on goal, but it was no problem for Carpinteria grad Natalie Gonzalez to save. Malia Misawa ensured no comeback was on by scoring the Vaqueros’ fourth—a beautiful left-footed volley directly from a corner. The Vaqueros cruised the final 20 minutes to victory.

As may be typical at the 3C2A level, the Vaqueros started a majority of freshmen. Six of the starting 11 were first-years.

“We’re not a staff that’s afraid of starting freshmen who deserve the opportunity,” Zermeno said. “They’ve all been here all summer trying to earn a starting spot.

“These women are really coachable. It’s really exciting,” he concluded.

The Vaqueros stay at home to host Chaffey next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.