When the Long Beach State women’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 double-overtime loss to Cal State Northridge on Senior Day, its biggest disappointment wasn’t that it had squandered a playoff spot.
It was the possibility that its seniors had played their last game as 49ers.
The centerpiece among that group of senior leaders is Alex Balcer, who has anchored the 49ers’ backline since her freshman year.
“It’s really unfortunate,” Balcer said. “But I can’t really be disappointed. Life goes on, and I really gave it my all. I know that I left everything on the field.”
Fortunately for Balcer, her efforts were rewarded on Monday. LBSU (12-7, 5-4 Big West Conference) was one of 64 teams selected to take part in this year’s NCAA tournament.
The 49ers only had an outside shot of making the tournament, as they sat in 40th in the end-of-season Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). A tough schedule and a few wins over highly-ranked teams, however, ended up being enough to get them to the NCAA tournament even though they missed the Big West tournament.
Balcer, who sustained a back injury on Senior Day, said that bypassing the Big West tournament may benefit the team in the long run.
“This could be a blessing in disguise,” she said. “Instead of playing two really tough games in the conference, which is a grind as always, we have time to relax and work on our game.”
For Balcer, missing the NCAA tournament would have been a huge disappointment after the team went on a Cinderella run to the elite eight last year. She has been the cornerstone of a current senior class that has already done more than enough to leave a lasting legacy.
Nadia Link is often touted as the team’s finest talent. This year’s Big West Offensive Player of the Year is only one goal shy of setting an LBSU record, and it’s difficult to argue against that acclaim.
The most important player on the team, however, may be Balcer. Not only is she the 49ers’ enforcer defensively, but she is also an attacking outlet with an inventive range of passing from the back.
“We actually play the game of soccer,” Balcer said. “At this level, too often you encounter teams that base their games on how physical and athletic they are … our girls aren’t exactly pure athletes, but we ping it, play passes and use our skills.”
What makes Balcer a special player is her unique combination of finesse and power. She scored three goals in her LBSU career, all of which were blasted from the midfield. Her goals against Arizona and Baylor this season were scored on free kicks taken from more than 40 yards away from the goal.
“I’ve been able to kick the ball really far since I was little,” Balcer said. “I used to score so many goals from distance. I really can’t tell you how I do it, because I’ve never been trained to do it.”
Balcer, a native of Tucson, Ariz., is a rare out-of-state player on the ‘Niners’ roster. The cost of an athletic scholarship for an out-of-state player is twice the amount of an in-state one, but LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia had more than enough confidence in Balcer to make the big investment.
Balcer, who was also recruited by schools like Southern California and Arizona, felt LBSU was better-suited to help her fulfill her athletic and academic aspirations.
“[Ingrassia’s coaching] was a huge deal,” Balcer said. “Most athletes just go to a good school where they can have a great time, but I was already familiar with Mauricio’s [Ingrassia] coaching style, so I knew Long Beach played good soccer.”
Balcer came to LBSU with high expectations, but her first season with The Beach in 2009 ended up being just the opposite of what she imagined. The 49ers suffered their worst season under Ingrassia and their second-worst in program history.
But when the ‘Niners bounced back to win back-to-back Big West titles the following two seasons, the hard-working Balcer got her coronation.
“First it was shocking,” Balcer said. “Obviously, you never expect to do poorly as an athlete, but you never anticipate to do too well either. It was really good for our team that we’ve gone there.”
This Saturday’s match against Santa Clara may be Balcer’s last game in an LBSU uniform, but she is still considering a future in soccer after graduation.
“I’d really have to weigh my options,” Balcer said. “I can play overseas. That would be neat, but I also have some big academic and career aspirations. I’m really excited to dedicate myself to school. If I could play and it’s suited to what I want to do academically, I would [play].”