daiyThe Long Beach State women’s soccer team imposed its style of play on one of the best teams in the nation, but ultimately fell, 2-1, against a No. 6 BYU team that historically struggles at LBSU.
George Allen Field is one of only six venues in the nation in which the Cougars had a losing record, at 1-2, with at least three games played before Saturday’s matchup. The last time BYU (8-1-1) came to Long Beach, then-freshman midfielder Mimi Rangel scored the only goal in the 14th minute giving the 49ers a 1-0 win.
In spite of the history of success at home, and a solid performance in which LBSU (5-3-3) outshot the Cougars 12-9, the 49ers were unable to overcome a talented BYU squad.
“I’m proud of the way my team played,” head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “We came out and did some things that put them under pressure. Unfortunately, we just didn’t defend well in two situations.”
In the 52nd minute, BYU junior forward Michelle Murphy Vasconcelos sent a pass to junior midfielder Elena Medeiros, who shot the ball into the far right corner of the goal to go up 1-0.
The 49ers were able to tie the game in the 69th minute after Rangel was brought down in the box for a penalty. Sophomore forward Ashley Gonzales stepped up to the spot for the third time of the season and converted.
Then in the 74th minute, Vasconcelos got her second assist of the game after she found junior forward Ashley Hatch who fired in the game-winner.
BYU’s junior midfielder Elena Medeiros said the win did not come easy for the Cougars as she praised LBSU’s aggressiveness.
“They’re a tough team for us because we are not used to that pressure right on our back as soon as we get the ball,” Medeiros said. “Long Beach really challenged us with that and forced us to play two touch. They are a great possession team and they gave us a good fight.”
Long Beach has played four games against ranked opponents this season; UCLA, Auburn, DePaul and BYU. So far they are 2-2 against top-25 teams with all four games decided by a single goal.
Gonzalez said she is confident with her team moving forward into conference play.
“We didn’t play a bad game, we had our chances here and there, we should have capitalized on them but I know we’ll get through the next one,” Gonzales said. “With conference play coming up, that’s when the floodgates will open to score goals.”
LBSU hosts the rival Cal State Fullerton Titans at George Allen Field next Sunday at 6 p.m.