The Long Beach State women’s soccer team cruised to its second consecutive victory at the Rebel Classic on Sunday as it routed the Akron Zips, 4-1, at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
Junior forward Nicole Sweetman led the 49ers offense with a pair of goals, while midfielder Lindsay Bullock and forward Nadia Link each recorded one in the contest. Senior forward Nikki Myers added two assists.
The 49ers (6-3-1) tallied a season-best 22 shots, while limiting the Zips to seven.
The Beach wasted no time in the first half as Bullock broke the scoreless game open with a header in the sixth minute for her first goal of the season. Midfielder Shawna Gordon was credited with her team-leading fourth assist on her corner kick that found Bullock.
Sweetman extended the ‘Niners lead to 2-0 in the 39th minute after tapping in defender Nicole Hubbard’s missed shot, which deflected off the crossbar.
The Beach returned to attack mode in the second half, firing off seven shots in the first 14 minutes before putting the game out of reach in the 69th minute.
Myers’ short cross in the box found Link, who then redirected it in for her team-leading sixth goal of the season. Link eclipsed last season’s team-high mark of five that was set by Gordon.
Making matters worse for the Zips, the ‘Niners connected yet again at the 74:33 mark when a lead pass from Myers found Sweetman, who knocked it in from eight yards out to extend the lead, 4-0.
The Zips ended their scoring drought in the 85th minute as freshman forward Kelly DeNiro sent a high lob to the upper left corner that sailed over the reach of 49ers goalkeeper Kaitlyn Gustaves, who posted four saves for LBSU in her first start of the season.
Zips goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert tallied seven saves.
Although the Zips registered shots from seven different players, they were limited to just one corner kick to LBSU’s seven for the entire game.
The Beach returns to action on Friday when it will play host to 19th-ranked Arizona State at George Allen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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