LBSU Scores Early & Often in 4-0 Win

August 21, 2016

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State women's soccer team set the tone early with two goals in the first 10 minutes as it cruised to a 4-0 victory over Fairfield Sunday evening at George Allen Field.

"We knew exactly how (Fairfield) was going to come out and we were able to break them down the way we talked about," LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. "The girls did a fantastic job executing from minute one. We talked about starting fast and about staying on our front foot. We were able to get the first two goals then get some of the legs off the field that played a lot of minutes on Friday night. I enjoyed the ball movement of the group and the way we approached the game. I think the mentality was excellent."

LBSU regrouped nicely after Friday's 110-minute double-overtime match against Kentucky as it came out attacking with junior Jessica Vincent putting the home team on the board at the 1:11 mark. It was the fastest goal by a 49er in program history. Sophomore Rocio Rodriguez tacked on one more less than eight minutes later.

Junior Tori Bolden then made it a 3-0 advantage with eight seconds remaining in the first half, while classmate Ashley Gonzales netted the final goal in the second period. Gonzales, sophomore Alyssa Alvarez and freshman Mackenzie Magaoay all finished with one assist.

The Beach outshot the Stags, 14-7, and held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. Vincent led the way with three attempts. Senior goalkeeper Ashton McKeown earned her 18th career solo shutout and recorded four saves in the win.

Long Beach State (1-0-1) was aggressive from the opening whistle and Vincent quickly got the 49ers on the board as she collected a short cross from Alvarez before delivering a shot to the lower right corner. Then, at the nine-minute mark, Gonzales broke away from her defender and drove down the right wing where she was able to find a streaking Rodriguez, whose one-touch shot made its way to the far post.

The Beach kept the pressure on and went up 3-0 at the 44:52 mark. Bolden sent what appeared to be a long cross into the box, but the ball curled beautifully to the upper left netting.

Long Beach State started the second half with three freshmen and three sophomores on the field and couldn't quite find the finishing touch until the 66th minute. Magaoay's pass was deflected off a defender and to Gonzales, who dribbled toward the middle of the 18-yard box before connecting for her second goal of the year.

The 49er defense was solid throughout the match as they were able to keep the Stags out of rhythm in their offensive third. Brenna Brown and Faith Daley led Fairfield (0-2-0) with two shots apiece.

Long Beach State returns to George Allen Field on Friday, Aug. 26, when it takes on USC at 7 p.m.

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