The Long Beach State women’s soccer team suffered its first loss Friday night to Loyola Marymount 2-1.
Piling onto the team’s first loss LBSU received bad news when senior goalkeeper Ashton McKeown hurt her shoulder during pregame warm ups. McKeown has shoulder issues in the past and has undergone shoulder surgery so the team wanted to be cautious.
Sophomore Imani McDonald replaced McKewon in the starting lineup.
In the 17th minute there was a scuffle inside the 49ers box where the Lions took advantage and took a 1-0 lead.
Being behind at the half LBSU looked to come back and build some opportunities.
“It took us a little to get in to rhythm into the game in the first half,” head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “In the second half we created four golden opportunities and I feel like we could have put one of those away if you can’t finish its going to be difficult.”
Unfortunately in the 72nd minute the Lions off a corner kick scored on a set piece where LMU’s Sydney Zuccolotto header assisted by Maddie Medved gave them a 2-0 lead on the 49ers.
In less than a minute the Beach countered with a goal of their own. Junior Ashley Gonzales was beat the Lions goalkeeper. Gonzales was assisted by Freshman Chloe Froment.
LBSU had a total of 11 corner kicks to LMU’s three.
“You learn from the losses as long as you learn you can move forward,” Ingrassia said. “You regroup with a cool head and you push forward.”
This Sunday the Beach look to bounce back as they host defending NCAA champions Penn State at 5 p.m.