LOS ANGELES — If only one word could be used to describe the way the Long Beach State women’s soccer team played in its season opener, it would be resilient.
That’s because the 49ers overcame an early one-goal deficit to knock off the No. 25-ranked USC Trojans, 2-1, in front of a crowd of 426 at McAlister Field on Friday afternoon.
“When you look at [all the schools in] Southern California, USC is the only team with a national championship,” LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “That was only four years ago, so this was one of the best wins from our side of things.”
Tied at 1, LBSU midfielder Shawna Gordon knocked in an unassisted header that soared over the reach of goalkeeper Shelby Church in a jump-ball situation to give the ‘Niners a 2-1 edge in the 86th minute.
“Honestly, I really thought their [goal]keeper was gonna get it,” Gordon said. “But I was gonna jump and try to head it anyway. … Fortunately, there was a jumble of people and I was able to get a head on it.”
The Trojans, however, came storming back in the final two minutes of regulation with three shots on goal — two of which ricocheted off the post — before LBSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Gustaves made a diving save in the closing seconds of the match.
“She saved the game,” Ingrassia said of Gustaves who finished with three saves. “She won the game for us in the last play of the game and it was fantastic, so I’m really proud of her. … In her first start, she gets one of our biggest wins.”
With 10 seconds left to play, USC forward Samantha Johnson retrieved a pass inside of the box on a breakaway and found herself in a one-on-one situation with Gustaves in front of the net.
Johnson then fired a shot to the right side of the goal before Gustaves lunged to her left side to make the stop and seal the victory for The Beach.
“It was just a reaction,” Gustaves said of the save in between laughs. “I didn’t really think, I just kinda went.”
The win marked the fifth season-opening victory for the ‘Niners in the last six years, and fifth over a Top-25 ranked opponent in the last two seasons.
“For us to win this game is great for our mentality,” Ingrassia said. “We can continue to build and grow from here.”
The Trojans broke the scoreless game open in the 17th minute as midfielder Haley Boysen placed a header that deflected off the inner crossbar and went through the hands of Gustaves.
“I think the goal USC scored was a fantastic header,” Ingrassia said. “It was like a ‘Lindsay Bullock header’ from the top of the box, and the ball went in upper 90.”
USC midfielder Brittany Kerridge, who finished with two of the Trojans’ four shots on goal, was credited with the assist when her free kick from 42 yards out found Boysen for the score.
From there, LBSU evened up the score before halftime as defender Alex Balcer launched a 52-yard free kick that went off the hands of Church and dropped into the net at the 35:57 mark.
The goal marked the first of Balcer’s four-year career with the ‘Niners.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that we would come back,” Gordon said. “We just tried to keep our composure because their sideline was really loud and emotions were going crazy, but fortunately, we were able to find a median and do what we needed to do.”
Despite being outshot by the Trojans in the match, 15-9, the 49ers recorded just as many shots on goal (4).
Junior forward Nadia Link posted a team-high three shots, while Balcer added two — both of which came on target.
Meanwhile, Carly Butcher registered a team-high three shot attempts for the Trojans, while Kerridge had two — both of which came on goal.
USC midfielder Ashley Freyer was issued a yellow card in 63rd minute after she was held accountable for initiating contact on a collision with 49ers forward Jazz Strozier.
LBSU will return to action in its home opener against Sacramento State at George Allen Field on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled 1 p.m.
The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a scoreless draw in Sep. 2010 at George Allen Field.
“I think it’s important to get this game [against USC] out of our heads and focus on the next game [against Sacramento State],” Gordon said. “They’re a good team, so if we don’t come out how we usually come out then you know, it’s soccer, so the game could go any way.”
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