Three-peat: 49ers clinch third straight regular season title

SANTA BARBARA — The Long Beach State women's soccer team was just one minute away from being tied atop the Big West Conference standings on Friday night.


Instead, the 49ers clinched their third consecutive regular season conference title with a 2-1 win in double overtime over second-place UC Santa Barbara at Harder Stadium.


Sophomore forward Kristen Kiefer stepped up big. With an assist from freshman Shawna Gordon, Kiefer powered the ball from seven yards out to tie the game at 1 and force overtime.


In the second period of overtime, with 3:42 left in the game, sophomore midfielder Lindsay Bullock then scored the game-winning goal off of Kim Silos' corner kick.

Meanwhile, the 49ers were able to hold the Gauchos without a corner kick attempt for the entire game, out-shooting UCSB, 7-0.


With the win, LBSU secured the top seed and home-field advantage in the four-team Big West Tournament, which starts at 2 p.m. on Thursday at George Allen Field against the fourth-place team in the conference yet to be determined.


LBSU (13-4-3, 7-0-1 Big West) had to come from behind to earn the No. 1 seed.


In the 71st minute, UCSB's Kailyn Kugler knocked a rebounded ball straight into the net for a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, a golden opportunity came for UCSB but 49er goalkeeper Liz Ramos made a spectacular save.


Also, senior Sara Baca set a school-record with her 79th consecutive career start.


Despite already clinching, the 49ers continued to shake up the Big West standings Sunday in San Luis Obispo.


LBSU defeated Cal Poly, 3-2, in the regular season finale. Kiefer, Hayley Bolt and Mariko Strickland accounted for the three 49er goals.


The Mustangs, who already clinched a spot in the tournament, entered the game in second place. The Gauchos were scheduled to host UC Irvine at 5 p.m. and a win would give UCSB the No. 2 seed.


Tracy McDannald contributed to this report.