The Long Beach State women’s soccer team earned some Big West Conference hardware Wednesday.
The three-time defending regular-season conference champions were individually honored as senior Liz Ramos, sophomore Lindsay Bullock and head coach Mauricio Ingrassia took home three of the six major awards in the Big West.
Ramos and Bullock also joined seniors Hayley Bolt, Kim Silos, Mariko Strickland and Sara Baca on the All-Big West first-team.
In his fifth season, Ingrassia won Coach of the Year as he led the 49ers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament, an unprecedented third consecutive Big West regular-season title and a 14-4-4 overall record. The team also went unbeaten in the Big West (7-0-1) and its 14 wins ties an all-time record for wins in a season by the program.
“Everything has come together for us, all of our hardwork, and I think the most important thing we have this year is leadership,” Bullock said. “[Ingrassia] starts with what works best for the team and not really what works best with winning. He’s very in tune with like, ‘how is the chemistry of my girls going to play with the soccer?’
“He’s also good with specific goals for individuals, the team and the program. He sets up what he wants us to achieve.”
Ramos became the first 49er to be named Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the conference in goals-against average (0.64) and shutouts (8 1/2). She posted a 13-3-2 in goal and the ‘Niners allowed a conference-low 16 goals. Ramos is LBSU’s career leader in saves (236), goals-against average (0.66), shutouts (36 1/2) and minutes in goal (6,346:30).
Bullock, who earned her first all-conference award, received Midfielder of the Year honors after tying a team-high with 10 goals this season and finished second on the team with 21 points. She is just the second 49er to reach double-digit goals in a season since the program was reinstated in 1998. Bullock helped clinch the regular-season title with her third game-winning goal of the season in a 2-1 double overtime victory at UC Santa Barbara.
“It’s really nice looking up to someone, like in my position, Hayley,” Bullock said. “Seeing what she’s gone through and how she’s learned and how she’s matured. It’s helped me to focus on what I need to work on as a midfielder.
“Ever since last year, when we couldn’t sometimes find the opportunity to score, I felt like I needed to step my game up and take more opportunities in scoring. It’s just worked out for me that way.”
Bolt and Silos were both named to the first-team for the third consecutive season. Bolt led LBSU with 22 points, shared the team lead with 10 goals and joined Bullock as one of only seven ‘Niners to score double-digit goals in a season in school history.
Silos racked up six goals, six assists and finished the season tied for third on the team with 18 points.
Baca and Strickland each earned their first career conference awards. Baca started a school-record 81 consecutive games, and the defender anchored a defense which averaged 0.69 goals allowed. Strickland finished the season with two goals and six assists, including three assists in two Big West Tournament matches.
Also, senior Dana Farquhar and freshman Nicole Hubbard were named to the All-Big West second-team, while sophomore Kristen Kiefer and freshman Shawna Gordon were recognized with honorable mention selections.
I guess I will consign to the fact that Mauricio deserved his honors, I congratulate him, and acknowledge he’ll be here for a few more seasons (thought it coukd have been that and some). Tomorrow will be a great opportunity for some redemption, with one last shot at USD at the Drake.