RIVERSIDE — The Long Beach State women’s soccer team steamrolled past UC Riverside on Friday, 3-0, at UCR Soccer Stadium en route to its second consecutive Big West conference victory.
After a scoreless first half, the 49ers (9-3-2, 2-0-1 Big West Conference) kicked into high gear in the 52nd minute when defender Nicole Hubbard dribbled past two UCR (1-10-2, 0-3-0 Big West) defenders and connected on a goal from the top left box. Midfielder Shawna Gordon was credited with the assist.
“These are the games that good teams go out and win decisively,” LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “Today we saw a more mature performance.”
In the 64th minute, the ‘Niners struck again as senior midfielder Karina Camacho scored off a rebounded shot from the center of the box. Midfielder Lindsay Bullock’s header was punched out by UCR goalkeeper Jessica White before Camacho retrieved the ball and finished into the empty net.
The Beach added an insurance goal in the 74th minute when forward Jazz Strozier’s header bounced off a Highlanders defender and sailed into the net. Camacho was credited with the assist as her corner kick found an unmarked Strozier inside the box.
Less than a minute later, Highlanders midfielder Ciara Hilpert picked up a yellow card after tripping Gordon – who took a hard spill to the grass.
The Beach controlled possession for most of the first half and out-shot the Highlanders, 9-3, but failed to convert on several opportunities.
Sophomore striker Nadia Link shook off a defender and fired an open shot from just outside the box before it sailed wide right of the post in the 24th minute.
Junior midfielder Marysol Rosas’ near-side shot from the corner of the field rolled along the cross bar in the 28th minute.
Twenty minutes later, Bullock’s header from inside the box ricocheted off the center post before dropping in front of White.
“In the first half, [UC Riverside] clogged us up,” Ingrassia said. “But the girls figured out at halftime that we had to open up the field and let the ball do the work. And then, luckily, the floodgates opened.”
The ‘Niners maintained efficiency for most of the match as nine of their 18 shots came on goal, while limiting the Highlanders to just eight attempts.
The Beach also won a decisive battle in corner kicks, 7-2.
LBSU goalkeeper Emily Kingsborough tallied four saves en route to her fourth shutout of the season, while White recorded six.
The 49ers will continue Big West action on Oct. 17 at Cal State Fullerton. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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