MALIBU — Long Beach State women’s soccer star Nadia Link couldn’t have picked a better time to etch her name into the 49er history books — the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The junior forward’s record-tying 16th goal of the season gave the No. 24-ranked 49ers their first-ever NCAA Tournament win in three appearances with a 1-0 overtime victory over No. 3-seeded Pepperdine on Saturday at Rokus Field.
“I didn’t even know until head coach [Mauricio Ingrassia] told me,” Link said of tying Annette Fernandez’s 1984 single-season record for goals. “It’s always a great honor, but I feel it means so much more than that. This goal was a big stepping-stone for the program and the alumni. For that goal to signify us getting into the next round, it’s a big deal for all of us.”
The victory marked the first time the ‘Niners (16-5-1) have ever scored in the 64-team tournament and defeated a top 10-ranked opponent. It was also first home loss of the season for the No. 7 Waves (15-2-4), who entered the contest with a 21-match winning streak at Rokus Field.
“This [win] is seven and a half years of work,” said Ingrassia, who is in his seventh season at the 49er helm. “We’ve gotten to the tournament before, but this year, we’ve got the experience. We got players who’ve been there once and some even twice, and a coaching staff that has been there a third time.
“It would’ve been very painful to walk out of here and know that we’re 0-3 in tournament matches without having scored a goal.”
Link delivered the game-winner in the 100th minute with 13 seconds left to play in the first overtime period. Senior midfielder Sidney Garza sent a lob pass from the opposite field to Link, who then dribbled the ball down the left wing before cutting into the box and hitting a right-footed shot that looped around goalkeeper Roxanne Barker.
The LBSU reserves and coaching staff cleared the bench immediately after and rushed on to the field to celebrate as tears of joy came streaking down the faces of several players, including Link.
“It went in and I don’t remember celebrating,” Link said of the goal in between laughs. “I was too busy crying.”
It was just the second time this season that Link, who is naturally left-footed, has scored a goal with her right foot.
“That’s the unpredictability of my right foot,” Link joked.
Not to be outdone, LBSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Gustaves had a career-night with 12 saves after only 21 the entire season in a match where the 49ers were out-shot, 16-7.
“I remember three world-class saves that Kaitlyn made today,” Ingrassia said. “We’re very fortunate to have a keeper the caliber of Kaitlyn.”
Indeed, Gustaves dodged several bullets, including one that Waves forward Lynn Williams nearly converted in the 72nd minute.
Pepperdine earned a free kick that was flicked over the LBSU wall. Williams then beat out everyone else to the ball before firing an open shot that was slapped out by Gustaves, who instinctively lunged to her right side to make the stop.
“Anything that’s played into the penalty kick spot is a tough spot for a keeper,” Gustaves said. “Whether to come in or whether to stay, you just have to handle it the best way you can.”
Both teams finished with 12 fouls apiece and three yellow cards were issued to Pepperdine’s Michelle Manning (33:08), LBSU’s Link (97:83) and Sarah Dryden (78:58).
“We take nothing away from Long Beach State,” Pepperdine head coach Tim Ward said. “They’re an excellent team, well-coached, and I hope they win their next round because I like their staff and I like their program.”
LBSU will take on the University of Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at UCLA’s Drake Stadium at a time to be determined. The Hurricanes defeated Alabama, 3-2, on Saturday in their first round matchup.
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