Soccer, Sports, Women's Sports

LBSU controls destiny after tie with Fullerton

The Long Beach State women’s soccer team is a step closer to clinching a Big West Conference Tournament bid after battling Cal State Fullerton to a 1-1 tie Thursday, but it will have to wait until Sunday to determine its postseason fate.

The ‘Niners (8-6-3, 2-2-3 Big West) moved into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Big West on Thursday night with their draw against the Titans (8-5-5, 3-2-2), sharing the tournament-eligible spot with UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara.

Following Thursday’s tie, the three fourth-place teams now each have nine points, which puts the 49ers in a significantly better position than they were in coming in.

Had the ‘Niners lost to the Titans, CSUF would have clinched a third seed in the tournament and LBSU would have remained alone in sixth place with a game to play.

“We needed one point,” head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “We knew we needed to get to Sunday with controlling our destiny, and that’s what we got.”

A shot at a postseason will be almost entirely in the 49ers’ own control. The ‘Niners are in if they beat UC Riverside on Sunday, no matter what else happens in other games around the conference.

The Beach is still in the thick of its playoff chase because of a career-first goal netted by sophomore defender Melanie Fox moments after CSUF went up 1-0 halfway through the first half.

CSUF’s Janali West put the Titans up with the game’s first goal in the 33rd minute, but the ‘Niners swiftly retaliated just over two minutes later.

Fox set herself up for her first career goal with a header that sent the ball bouncing off the crossbar and right back to Fox before she kicked it in the net to tie the game.

“I saw a space and I just hit it in the corner,” Fox said. “I knew it was going to be my only chance so I just took it.”

The ‘Niners were without two of their biggest players in Eileen Maes, who is out with a knee injury, and defender Taylor Nelson, who was suspended for a game because of a red card she was issued in LBSU’s previous game against Cal State Northridge.

But other 49ers stepped up and compensated for the deficient lineup, like Fox, who notched her first goal, and freshman Reagan Smithers, who was given her first career start and assisted Fox in her game-tying shot attempt.

“Melanie Fox just carried our team without Taylor [Nelson],” Ingrassia said. “She was outstanding today. She was a leader, and she’s really grown up this season, tremendously.”

While the ‘Niners went all season last year without a tie, they have taken their last three home matches to double overtime draws. Ingrassia said after Thursday’s match that he couldn’t have asked for anymore of his players, whom put themselves in a better position for a postseason berth after the tie.

“We needed points tonight so we could control our destiny Sunday,” Ingrassia said. “We got what we wanted and now we move on and try to win on Senior Day.”

The ‘Niners will conclude their regular season schedule on Sunday’s Senior Day at George Allen Field with a match against the Highlanders at 2 p.m.

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