The Long Beach State women’s soccer team will look to extend its winning streak to three games as it will play host to Arizona State at George Allen Field on Friday at 4 p.m.
The 49ers (6-3-1), who went unbeaten last weekend at the UNLV Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, combined to score six goals from five different players in victories over host-UNLV and Akron.
49ers head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said he was pleased with the adjustments the team made after coming off three consecutive scoreless games.
“We saw some correlation from what we did in training and we learned what it took to take the responsibility that comes with playing,” Ingrassia said. “In the previous three games, in which we hadn’t scored, a lot of key players were looking to make too many passes when they had a better angle at the goal.”
Ingrassia captured career wins Nos. 69 and 70 in the process, becoming just the seventh head coach in Big West Conference history to accomplish such a feat.
“To me, it’s just another sign that I’m getting old.” Ingrassia joked.
Ingrassia holds a career record of 70-45-15 in six-plus seasons at the 49ers’ helm. His overall winning percentage of .596 ranks fifth-best all-time in Big West history.
Junior forward Nicole Sweetman paced the Beach’s offense at the Rebel Classic as she recorded a team-high two goals against Akron en route to being named Big West Women’s Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
The 49ers also achieved a team milestone as they racked up their sixth victory in just their 10th game this season, surpassing the five wins they had in 19 matches the previous year.
Sophomore forward Nadia Link also collected her team-leading sixth goal of the season, eclipsing last year’s team-high mark of five that was set by midfielder Shawna Gordon.
In addition, Link is currently tied for first this season for most goals scored among all Big West players.
Led by head coach Kevin Boyd, ASU (6-1-1) connected for 19 goals in eight contests this year.
After winning six of their first seven games, the Sun Devils suffered their first defeat last Sunday in a 5-0 blowout against Central Florida.
Senior forward Karin Volpe leads the team with 20 shots on goal, seven of which found the back of the net.
Last week, Volpe was named Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week after she netted four goals in separate victories over Tennessee and Nebraska at the Sun Devil Classic.
Ingrassia said that despite the challenge that ASU will pose for the ‘Niners this Friday, he is confident in his team’s ability to fulfill the task of winning.
“We’re going to give it our best to follow through with our plan and hopefully, come out with the win this Friday,” Ingrassia said. “Luckily, we’ve already had to face some tough teams like [ASU] in our schedule to prepare ourselves.”
The last and only meeting between the Beach and ASU took place in September 2008, resulting in a 1-0 loss for LBSU.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.