Long Beach State University Athletics
49er Soccer Earns First-Ever NCAA Tournament Berth
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 10, 2008
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LONG BEACH - For the first time in program history, the Long Beach State women's soccer team has been selected to participate in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. The 49ers were awarded an at-large bid into the 64-team tournament Monday evening and will face the University of San Diego in the first round on Friday, Nov. 14, at UCLA. The game is slated to start at 8 p.m. (PST).
"Today was a major accomplishment for our program," said fifth-year 49er head coach Mauricio Ingrassia. "I am very proud not only of our team but of all the student-athletes over the last few years that have made this possible. We are looking forward to representing our University with pride in the NCAA tournament."
LBSU (14-4-4) became the first program in Big West Conference history to claim its third consecutive regular season title after going undefeated in league play with a 7-0-1 record. The 49ers also advanced to the BWC tournament championship match for the first time in school history with a 3-0 triumph over Pacific in the semifinals.
The Beach will be looking to avenge a 1-0 loss earlier in the year to the Toreros as the two teams met on Oct. 8 in Long Beach.
USD finished its regular season with a 14-4-2 overall record, falling to Portland State in the West Coast Conference championship match. The Toreros were ranked No. 14 in the latest NSCAA/adidas national poll released Nov. 4.
The winner of the 49ers-Toreros match will play the victor of the UCLA/Fresno State game on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. (PST).
