The Long Beach State women’s soccer team’s struggles continued on Sunday as it was held scoreless for the third consecutive game this season, losing to the 19th-ranked California Golden Bears, 6-0, at Edwards Stadium.
Senior forward Alex Morgan led the offensive attack for the Golden Bears (5-0-2), connecting twice in four attempts for her eighth and ninth goals of the season.
Meanwhile, 49ers (4-3-1) sophomore midfielder Karina Camacho posted a team-high three shots, two of which came on goal.
Morgan, who was named Pac-10 Player of the Week last weekend, helped break the scoreless game open in the 16th minute when her cross found forward Rachel Mercik, who then tapped it in for the Bears’ first goal.
Eight minutes later, Mercik returned the favor as her lead pass found Morgan for the team’s second goal after 23 minutes of play.
The Beach narrowly missed an opportunity to score in the first half after Bears goalkeeper Emily Kruger left the goal unguarded in the 36th minute to stop a near-side attack.
49ers midfielder Shawna Gordon took the open shot, but missed from less than three yards out as the ball deflected off the right post.
The Beach began the second half on the wrong foot after goalkeeper Emily Kingsborough surrendered a goal within the first 31 seconds to Morgan, who found the back of the net for the second time.
Making matters worse for LBSU, senior midfielder Lindsay Bullock unintentionally knocked in a goal for the Bears in the 48th minute after a corner kick deflected off of several players.
After giving up their fourth goal, the 49ers stabilized the surging Bears for the next 32 minutes before allowing their fifth and six goals to defender Rachel Clark and forward MeKenna DeBack to finish the game.
In 57 minutes of action, Kingsborough finished with three saves for the 49ers, while fellow goalkeeper Kaitlyn Gustaves posted four saves in the remaining 32 minutes.
Cal dominated on both ends of the field, out-shooting the Beach 19-6 and limiting them to one corner kick for the entire game.
Four of LBSU’s eight games this season have been against the nation’s top 25 teams. With the loss, the 49ers drop to 2-2 against ranked opponents.
The ‘Niners will look to bounce back as they return to action Friday against UNLV for the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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