Soccer, Sports, Women's Sports

49ers’ playoff hopes on life support

With two games remaining in its regular season, the Long Beach State women’s soccer team is in an unexpectedly uncomfortable position thanks to some disappointing finishes during Big West Conference play.

The team that was ranked as highly as 11th in the nation earlier in the year is now on the outside looking in at the postseason, as several tough losses have completely changed the outlook of its season.

On Sept. 26, the 49ers sat at 21st in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll. They boasted a record of 7-3 and owned the nation’s seventh-best Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

Fast-forward almost a month, and the ‘Niners are 11-6 and unranked in national polls. Their once-elite RPI ranking is now a disappointing 37th. Not only have the 49ers lost relevance nationally, but several heartbreaking losses have nearly pushed them out of the Big West title picture.

The most recent of these heartbreaking losses came at the hands of UC Irvine on Saturday in front of a record crowd at George Allen Field. The 1-0 double-overtime defeat knocked LBSU to fifth in the Big West standings and was a considerable blow to a team that entered this season with high expectations following its conference championship and elite eight run in 2011.

“We’re always trying to contend for the Big West championship, and we always shoot to make the NCAA tournament,” head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said before the season began. “Obviously, the expectations rise when you have a season like we did last year.”

The differences between this year and last, however, are numerous. There is even a distinct difference between the 49er team that took the field in nonconference play and the one that is stumbling down the stretch now.

During the first seven matches of the season, the ‘Niners won all three of their overtime games, often scoring early in extra time. In the nine matches since, they have failed to build upon leads and have been unable to convert scoring chances in overtime, leading to three double-overtime losses.

LBSU has also found itself relying on a select few for offensive firepower. Through their first 12 games, the 49ers got 22 goals from 13 different players. Over the last five, however, Nadia Link, Eileen Maes and Renee Mendiola have been the only goal-scorers.

That trend can be partly explained by injuries to several key players. Center back Jordan Nelson has been out with a torn meniscus since the first week of October and midfielder Marie MacKenzie hasn’t played since she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on Sept. 14. Mendiola and fellow midfielder Kelsey Wilson have also missed time due to concussion issues.

The injury problems aren’t a quick fix, and LBSU doesn’t have much momentum on its side after Saturday’s loss. But the 49ers haven’t been eliminated just yet. They need to win each of their final two games and hope that teams above them in the standings falter.

“We need a little help now,” Ingrassia said after the loss to UCI. “But as long as we take care of the last two games, we’re confident [that we can make the postseason].”

LBSU currently sits behind Cal Poly, UCI, Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton in the Big West table. For the ‘Niners to make the Big West tournament, they need to be in the top four of the final standings, which means that they need UCI, CSUN or CSUF to gain no more than one point over the last two games. That can be accomplished if any of those teams either lose twice or lose once and tie once.

None of the above scenarios matter, however, if the 49ers fail to sweep their remaining games. Despite showing a disappointing record in conference play, they have the depth to overcome injuries and the defense to shut down any opponent. It will ultimately come down to whether or not the offense can convert enough of its scoring chances to put games away early.

LBSU will play its final matches of the regular season this weekend when it faces Hawaii on Friday at 7 p.m. and CSUN on Sunday at 2 p.m. Both games will be played at George Allen Field.

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