The 49er women’s soccer team can’t seem to catch any breaks this season and Sunday’s regular season home finale against UC Riverside at George Allen Field proved no different.
Despite ending a stretch of nearly 248 minutes without a goal, Long Beach State (5-9-3, 1-4-1 Big West Conference) had to settle for a 1-1 tie with the Highlanders. LBSU has now gone without a win in its last six matches, which includes three draws along the way.
The Beach out-shot UCR, 19-13, for the match and 5-0 in the second overtime period.
LBSU came out on the offensive during the second OT. ‘Niner midfielder
Karina Camacho controlled the ball inside the penalty area before passing it wide right to forward Kristen Kiefer, who rolled a shot just left of the goal post.
The home team manufactured a set piece opportunity in the 4th minute of extra time when Markie Gleason’s corner kick found defender Bo Rael, who rocketed a shot right at UCR goalkeeper Jessica White.
Lindsay Bullock had an opportunity to put the ‘Niners up a few seconds later, but sent a shot just over the bar.
Bullock led all players with eight shots — three on goal — and helped the 49ers pull even with the Highlanders in the 56th minute.
After an Alex Balcer free kick led to a scramble inside the penalty area, Bullock fetched the loose ball and slotted it into the lower right-hand corner of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
“Since we were down by a goal, it was important to break that drought. [The goal] lifted us up a lot,” Balcer said.
Riverside (5-8-4, 0-5-1 Big West) struck first in the 18th minute when Ashley Parks scored on a header to the near post, with forward Denise Thomas given credit for the assist.
“We’ve got five of the best kids in the air in the conference and how we got scored on with a corner is just beyond me,” said 49er head coach Mauricio Ingrassia.
The physical confrontation saw UCR commit 17 fouls to The Beach’s nine.
“They’re tough, very athletic and they just beat you up,” Ingrassia said of a Highlander defense that has allowed only 13 goals coming into the match.
LBSU is currently seventh in the Big West standings at four points, with the team’s best possible finishing scenario being a tie for fourth, should they win out and receive help from other teams in the conference.
“Our record is deceiving. If you look at our stats, we’ve outplayed every single team we’ve played,” Ingrassia said. “It’s been a really unlucky year, but at the same time, you make your luck.
“We’ve made a lot of mental mistakes that are typical of a young team.
With a couple of bounces, we could be sitting in a much better place [in the standings] right now.”
The 49ers recognized senior Sarah Strohl, along with redshirt juniors Chantel Hubbard and Jenn Brooks before the kickoff of the match.
“We came out playing for all the seniors,” Balcer said. “It’s their last home game so we wanted to win it for them.”