49ers Upset Defending Champs, Ranked Titans
Curry Taps In Goal With 22 Seconds Left; Beach Remain Undefeated
LONG BEACH, CA-- Abie Curry (Chico) tapped in the winning goal with 22 seconds left off a pass sent into the penalty box from Shaina Wender (Fresno) as Long Beach State pulled of the program's biggest win ever, knocking off defending Big West Champion and No. 25-ranked CS Fullerton 2-1 on Friday afternoon.
The Beach (4-7-4) remain undefeated in conference play, at 2-0-2, the Titans (10-2-0) fell to 4-1-0. It is believed to\ be the first time in the program's five year history, that the 49ers have defeated a ranked opponent.
"I think this is the best game we have ever played," said second year Head Coach Peter Reynaud. "We had a lot of determination today, but I think the key was we made a lot of good passes. It was a great effort by the 49ers today."
Curry retook the lead for the 49ers at 2-1, at 89:38, as Wender sent the ball into a crowded penalty box. Curry was in the right place at the right time and tapped it past a diving Laura Janke for the winning score.
"If I had touched it any more, it might have taken the pace off the ball (and it wouldn't have gone in)," said an elated Curry afterwards. "Recently, I haven't been getting the ball into the net, but I knew with 30 seconds left, there was enough time to score.
"Shanna sent it and I was just there to knock it in," added Curry, whose seventh goal of the season is the second-best single season goal total in LBSU history. "It's really was a team goal. To win, especially against a program like Fullerton, is great."
LBSU took a 1-0 lead at 21:36 as Kristin Travis (Davis, CA) scored on a cross from Sarah Gamet (El Cajon, CA). CS Fullerton tied it at 1-1 early in the second half, at 57:07, when Desire Flint scored on a cross.
The Beach stopped 11 first half shots by the Titans, and limited CS Fullerton to just three second half attempts. LBSU took 15 shots, including 10 second half shots and 10 shots on goal.
LBSU will host UC Riverside on Sunday at 1 p.m., while CS Fullerton will travel to UC Irvine, also at 1 p.m.
#25 CSF 0-1--1 (10-2-1, 4-1-0 BWC)
LBSU 1-1--2 (4-7-4, 2-0-2 BWC)
Shots: LBSU 15, CSF 14
Goalies: LBSU- Cochrun (1 GAA, 3 saves); CSF-Janke (2 GAA, 8 saves)
Scoring: Kristin Travis (Sarah Gamet), LBSU, 21:36; Desiree Flint (Vanessa Valentine, Kandace Wilson), CSF, 57:07; Abie Curry (Shaina Wender), LBSU, 89:38. |
