Long Beach State University Athletics
49ers Ranked No. 25 to Start Year
8/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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Big West Favorites Ranked No. 25 to Start the Year NEW YORK, NY-- Long Beach State women's soccer, under fourth year head coach Mauricio Ingrassia, are ranked No. 25 to start the year, its highest-ever pre-season ranking. The 49ers, who are coming off a record-best 14-5-1 season, broke last year's ranking of No. 28 in the Soccer Buzz' annual pre-season poll. The Beach is also ranked No. 8 in the always tough West Region, a spot lower then their best showing of all-time, No. 7, achieved numerous times in 2006. "The Beach has been hovering around ready to make its splash for the last three years or so and 2007 could be the time," said Soccer Buzz editors. "The competition in the Big West has improved so much that any league favorite has to be a legitimate NCAA contender. With nine starters, including standouts Kim Silos and Hayley Bolt, the 49ers are real Top 25 material. Coach Ingrassia has a loaded arsenal of field and bench players that should give him all the tools to finally make the NCAAs." The team's nine-game home schedule is currently on sale for $30 by calling (562) 985-4949. Last year saw record crowds at George Allen Field. This year's team, which opens up with a scrimmage against Azusa Pacific on August 23 at 5 p.m. at George Allen Field, begin the regular season at CS Bakersfield on August 31, before their home opener on September 2 against Utah. The 49ers achieved their highest ranking of all-time last year, at No. 21 on September 18, 2006. Prior to last year, they received national recognition just once in the program's nine-year history, on October 10, 2005, when they received votes in the national poll. The 49ers, with nine starters returning, including Big West Players of the Year, Hayley Bolt and Kim Silos, were picked by the conference coaches to repeat as Big West Champions. SOCCER BUZZ PRE-SEASON POLL Receiving votes (alpha order): Boston Univ (13-5-3), California (12-5-5), Denver (19-3-1), Navy (21-2-1), South Carolina (11-6-5), Wake Forest (16-6-1), Washington St (9-7-4) |
