Long Beach State University Athletics
Defense Strong No Matter Lineup
9/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Defense Solid Anyway you Look at It Mix and match, mix and match, continue to shut down any and all comers. That's the game plan for the Long Beach State women's soccer team's four-player defensive backline. While the team has gotten off to a program-best 5-1-1 start, the 49ers have had more starters in the back (seven) than they have goals allowed …six, including a 3-0 loss at then- No. 3 UCLA to start the season. And the breakdowns that led to UCLA's two first-half goals that evening seem so long ago One year after earning a team-record seven shutouts, the 49ers have accomplished four Goldberg is the only player to have started every game on the backline, and noted that as the team has made a goal of 10 shutouts this season, the competition for jobs on defense remains fierce. ``I don't really know that I'm going to be back there everygame, because every practice is a test, and it could be taken from me at any point,'' Goldberg said.``I'm always competing with someone for my position, and there's always someone that can take my place. And I know that.'' As LBSU has had 18 players start at least one game, there have also been formation changes as Ingrassia tweaks things to find the right combination. While Megorden is tied for second on the team with two assists on free kicks this season, depending on the alignment sometimes the defenders have the opportunity to get involved in the offensive flow, as Goes has with one assist. In addition, playing together has helped the defenders forge a trust that is beneficial as they cover each other when one can move forward in the attack. ``I used to play center midfield before I came to college, so I really like playing offense. When I get those chances to make the runs, I like making them,'' Goes said. ``I feel a lot more confident this year knowing that if I makethat run, Amanda's going to Though there have been a few changes, the usual defensive alignment has been Goldberg on the left, Messina in left-center, Perry at right-center, and Goes on the right side. Perry, a sophomore from Fresno who came to LBSU last season as a walk-on, had that unfortunate own-goal in a 4-2 win against Hawaii. But that was one of the unit's few mistakes as the defense also helped freshman goalie Liz Ramos play 475 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal. ``You kind of have to leave the mistakes, and just focus on what you can fix, and what you can do better for the next play. If you're thinking and dwelling on the bad things that you did, you're going to keep messing up, so you just have to let it go.'' |
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