Halfway through its eight-game homestand, the No. 18 Long Beach State women’s soccer team couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.
The 49ers are cruising after playing an all-around game that has them on a 3-game winning streak while outscoring opponents 8-0.
LBSU’s first game was a double overtime 1-1 tie against Kentucky on Aug. 19. After that game, the 49ers went on a roll, beating Fairfield 4-0 on Aug. 21.
Riding the momentum of that win, the 49ers upset No.11 USC 1-0 Aug. 26 in front of the second largest crowd in program history at 1,656 fans, which catapulted them into the national rankings at No.18.
That win was reminiscent of LBSU’s 1-0 upset win of No. 4 UCLA on Aug. 21, 2015, when the 49ers set the program’s record for attendance at 2,230 fans.
Now, as the 49ers head into the weekend, they face the toughest part of their homestand. On Friday, the 49ers host Loyola Marymount University (1-1-1) at 7 p.m. at George Allen Field.
In their last game, the Lions beat the 49ers 1-0 in an overtime victory in Los Angeles on Sept. 11, 2015. LMU will be led by freshman forward Phoebe Riley who leads the team with two goals.
Rounding out the weekend, the 49ers will take on No. 6 Penn State (1-1-1), the defending 2015 NCAA Champion, Sunday at 7 p.m.
While they are facing the defending national champion, the 49ers have been dominant at home going 75-25-18 at George Allen Field. The 49ers are 3-0 in their last three home games and have also outscored their opponents 9-1 this season.
The 49ers’ solid defense is anchored by senior goalkeeper Ashton McKeown, who is second in all-time shutouts in LBSU history with 21.