LBSU defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 2-1 at George Allen Field on Friday night behind two goals by freshman midfielder Rocio Rodriguez and sophomore striker Ashley Gonzalez.
The Cyclones (2-1-0) tallied 18 fouls in the game attempting to use their size and strength to pull the 49ers (2-1-0) into a physical game. Head coach Mauricio Ingrassia told his team not to take the bait and instead instructed his players to just keep moving the ball to avoid contact.
“You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to be aggressive,” Ingrassia said. “But, if you’re going to be super aggressive, like [Iowa State was], we’re going to make you pay. We’ve got players that can make you pay.”
The 49ers did make ISU pay in the sixth minute by taking a 1-0 lead after the 49ers received a free kick on a Cyclone foul. Rodriguez pushed in a loose ball that the Iowa State defenders were unable to clear out of the 6-yard box.
Junior midfielder Jessica Vincent and senior center back Melanie Fox were both credited with the assist. LBSU went on to control the game for long stretches, looking for a second goal that would give them a cushion.
The 49ers got their chance at an insurance goal in the 81st minute when Rodriguez was chopped down in the box for another penalty. Gonzalez stepped up and slotted the penalty shot, giving her team a 2-0 lead and a little breathing room.
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The 49ers’ relaxation didn’t last long, however, because only three minutes after Gonzalez’s goal, ISU’s junior midfielder Lauren Roeling headed in a cross that cut the LBSU lead back to one. Ingrassia said that goal seemed to give the Cyclones a second wind that made the final six minutes of the game interesting for the 49er bench.
“It got a little nerve-racking,” Ingrassia said. “But, I was glad that we rode it out.”
Ingrassia’s team did manage to hang on for the 2-1 victory. The 49er head coach called the win important, but said he was most pleased with his team’s composure.
“[All games] are must wins,” Ingrassia said. “But, what’s more important, obviously the result is important, but at this stage we need to get better because we need to be ready to go for conference. And [Iowa State] is a similar team than what we’re going to see in conference.”
With the converted penalty, Gonzalez now has two goals on the season after last week’s apparent own goal by a UCLA defender was credited to the 49er striker from Ontario. The 49ers’ 2014 Big West Freshman of the Year is picking up where she left off last season.
“Any shot I get on goal gives me confidence,” Gonzalez said. “Any opportunity, anything my team brings to me, anything gives me confidence. I just play.”
The 49ers will host Bucknell at George Allen Field on Sunday at noon in the final match of a four-game home stand.