Who: Cal Poly (5-3-5)
When: Thursday at 5 p.m.
Where: Alex G. Spanos Stadium, San Luis Obispo
Need to know: The 49ers need to find a way around goalkeeper Alyssa Giannetti, while also keeping an eye on striker Elsie Krieghoff. Giannetti boasts a league-leading .874 save percentage and Krieghoff scored her 50th and 51st career goals with Cal Poly on Sunday. The forward ranks fifth in the nation in goals among active Division I players.
LBSU is winless—three losses and a draw—in its last four matches against Cal Poly. The last 49er win came on Oct. 2, 2011. It was a resounding 6-0 victory in San Luis Obispo.
Who: UC Santa Barbara (8-3-1)
When: Sunday at noon
Where: Harder Stadium, Santa Barbara
Need to know: The Gauchos are heading into this matchup having won eight of their last nine games. Freshman midfielder Mallory Hromatko has thrown UCSB on her back. Hromatko leads them with six goals, four assists and has tallied at least a point in nine of UCSB’s last ten matches for a total of 16 points on the season.
LBSU has strung together five straight wins against the Gauchos dating back to 2010; the 49ers have also won nine of the last 11. UCSB’s last win over LBSU was a 3-2 victory on Oct. 15, 2009.
Who: Air Force (4-9)
When: Saturday at 9:20 a.m.
Where: Burns Aquatic Center, Los Angeles
Need to know: The 49ers must watch out for junior attacker Robby Stiefel if they want to snap a three-game losing streak. Stiefel leads the Falcons with 26 assists, 31 steals and ranks second on the team with 19 goals. He also leads the Air Force Academy with 45 total points.
LBSU owns an all-time series record at 29-7 against the Falcons. The 49ers have 16 straight wins against the Air Force Academy and have gone 18 years without losing against them.