Long Beach State University Athletics
LBSU Women's Soccer Begins Fall Training Camp
8/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State women's soccer team kicked off its fall training camp Wednesday morning at George Allen Field.
The 49ers started the two-hour session with conditioning and fitness testing. They then went into passing drills and finished with a 9-on-9 possession drill. The team will return to the field in the afternoon for another two-hour practice.
Long Beach State, which has made four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last six years, welcomes back 16 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's squad. The Beach returns its top two scorers in sophomore Mimi Rangel (5 goals, 4 assists) and junior Elizabeth Lyons (2 goals, 7 assists). Rangel was named the Big West Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors, while Lyons was a second-team All-Big West selection in 2013.
The 49ers also return the core of their back line, which will be anchored by senior and first-team All-Big West honoree Taylor Nelson. Nelson, who made the transition from midfield to center back last year, led The Beach to four shutouts and a 1.07 goals against average. She also recorded two goals and one assist.
Nelson is expected to be joined on the back line by a pair of returning starters - junior Melanie Fox and sophomore Mimi Akaogi. The duo started every game in 2013 and led the team in minutes played. Fox added one goal on six attempts, while Akaogi was named to the Big West All-Freshman Team after tying for third on the squad with three assists. Defender Natalie Zeenni, who appeared in 16 games last year, also returns for her senior campaign.
In addition, Long Beach State welcomes back junior midfielder/defender Marie MacKenzie, who started every game last year, and sophomore forward Celeste Dominguez (1 goal, 12 shots).
LBSU also returns three goalkeepers, including Kaci McCain, who earned the starting nod in all but two contests in 2013. She finished with 53 saves and a 0.90 goals against average.
Long Beach State officially opens the 2014 season at the USD Tournament in San Diego, where it will take on USC (Aug. 22) and Georgetown (Aug. 24).
The 49ers' home opener is on Friday, Aug. 29, as they are set to host Georgia in a 7:30 p.m. game at George Allen Field.
