The Long Beach State women’s soccer team will look to extend its five-game unbeaten streak as it travels to UC Riverside on Friday at UCR Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said that maintaining possession and scoring early in the game would be the strategy against the Highlanders.
“We have to focus on keeping the ball, creating opportunities and getting that first ball to go in,” Ingrassia said. “Then we’ll be able to grab a hold of the game because the longer the game goes on, the harder it becomes.”
The 49ers (8-3-2, 1-0-1 Big West Conference), who are coming off a victory over UC Santa Barbara and a draw against Cal Poly, are currently ranked third in the nine-team conference.
Junior midfielder Shawna Gordon was named one of CollegeSoccer360.com’s Primetime Performers of the Week as she paced the ‘Niners with the game-winning goal and an assist against the preseason-favorite Gauchos last weekend.
Gordon said that mental focus and continuity would be the keys to victory over UC Riverside.
“We have to prepare ourselves the same we did [UCSB],” Gordon said. “We took care of our bodies and now we just have to come out in the beginning just like we did last game.”
Gordon’s team-leading five assists are tied for second overall in the Big West, while all three of her goals this season have been game-winners.
Sophomore forward Nadia Link’s team-leading seven goals and 15 points ranks second overall in the conference behind UCI forward Tanya Taylor.
Junior goalkeeper Emily Kingsborough has anchored The Beach to a strong defensive start with a 1.07 goals allowed average, .797 save percentage and three shutouts.
The Highlanders (1-9-2, 0-2-0 Big West), who are currently ranked last in the conference, enter Friday’s match with a pair of one-goal conference losses to Cal Poly and UCSB.
Offensive woes have been the root of UCR’s problems.
In 13 games, the Highlanders have recorded just two goals this season and six of their nine losses have been decided by one goal.
However, The Beach may have its hands full with Highlanders goalkeeper Jessica White. Her 65 saves this season leads the Big West.
The only common opponent UCR and The Beach shared in nonconference play was Utah State, which battled the Highlanders to a scoreless draw after suffering a 2-1 defeat to LBSU earlier in the season.
The 49ers lead the all-time series against UCR, 4-2-4. The Highlanders have not recorded a victory over the ‘Niners since October 2006. The last meeting resulted in a 1-1 draw at George Allen Field.
The contest with the Highlanders is the 49ers’ only match this week, and they won’t return to action until Oct. 17 at Cal State Fullerton.
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