Long Beach State University
5-5-5, 1-1-2BWC
UC Irvine
4-6-3, 0-1-1BWC
Vincent Nets Equalizer in 1-1 Draw Against UC Irvine
10/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LONG BEACH - Freshman Jessica Vincent connected for the game-tying goal in the 67th minute and the Long Beach State women's soccer team went on to a 1-1 double-overtime tie against UC Irvine Sunday evening in front of 1,095 fans at George Allen Field.
The single-game attendance is a season high for the Beach and ranks third in program history.
"We were at a physical disadvantage today," LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. "UC Irvine had played just once since September 26, while today was our fifth match in that same amount of time and that makes a big difference in our sport. Irvine is a very good team and we saw that in the first half tonight. Our team gave a tremendous effort in the second half and overtime, getting us back in the game and almost pulling off the win. I'm extremely proud of our group for their mentality and heart in front of our fans."
It was Long Beach State's second draw of the week as it picked up two key points in the conference standings. Vincent led the way with her first goal of the season. Freshman Ashley Gonzales (3) and junior Val Margerum (2) also combined for five of the 49ers' 10 attempts.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ashton McKeown added another strong performance with seven saves.
UC Irvine had the momentum in the first half with six shots and five corner kicks. The Anteaters broke through in the 24th minute when Laura McGrail curled a shot that ricocheted off the near post and to the back of the net. The Beach nearly tied it up just over two minutes later when Gonzales put herself in a one-on-one situation, but UCI keeper Jenn Randazzo made a sliding stop.
LBSU (5-5-5, 1-1-2 Big West) came out much more aggressive in the second period with the first four shots of the half, including an attempt from Margerum that hit the crossbar. On the fourth try, Vincent was able to convert on a free kick, evening the score at the 66:04 mark. After the Anteaters were whistled for a foul just outside the box, Vincent stepped up and drilled a line drive inside the left post. The 49ers continued to press and had an almost identical goal on another free kick in the 76th minute. This time, Gonzales took the shot, but the ball brushed the outside of the post and went out of bounds.
Gonzales also had a good look in the first overtime with a shot from inside the box that forced Randazzo to make a leaping save.
UCI (4-6-3, 0-1-1 Big West) finished with 12 shots and 13 corner kicks. McGrail led the way with one goal on a game-high four attempts.
Long Beach State will now head to the Aloha State for a Big West showdown at Hawai'i on Thursday, Oct. 16. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. HT (10 p.m. PT).
Team Stats
McGrail, Laura (5)
Assisted By: Privett, Cami
Top of box, off post and in
23:30
Vincent, Jessica (1)
Free kick from top of box
66:04
