One was the magic number for the Long Beach State women’s soccer team, which played its first match of the season against Cal State Northridge and won the game 1-0 last Saturday.
Within the first 18 minutes against Northridge (0-1), a Matador defender deflected a cross, allowing freshman Ashley Gonzales to retrieve the ball inside the box then score with a shot into the lower right corner.
The Beach (0-1) stayed strong on defense, allowing the Matadors to only take four shots while sophomore goalkeeper Ashton McKeown racked up two saves to contribute to the win.
Gonzales and freshman Jessica Vincent finished with two shots each, which contributed to the 49ers’ 9-to-4 advantage in shot attempts. They also took six more corner shots than the Matadors (7-to-1).
Although it was just an exhibition game, the freshmen 49ers were able to get a little taste of what playing in the Big West Conference might be like this season.
The Beach also played Southern California Friday for its season opener and lost 1-0.
Although the 49ers outshot the Trojans 10-5 and stayed in control most of the game, they allowed a goal in the 79th minute that handed the Women of Troy their long-waited victory.
LBSU will play two home games this weekend against Georgia this Friday at 7 p.m. and Denver at 1 p.m. Sunday.