Long Beach State University Athletics
LBSU Entertains Cal State Fullerton in Big West Opener
9/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Cal State Fullerton (8-1-1, 0-0-0 Big West) at
Long Beach State (5-3-3, 0-0-0 Big West)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
Time: 6 p.m. (PDT)
Location: George Allen Field (1,000) - Long Beach, Calif.
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Game Notes: Long Beach State 
FIRST GOAL
The Long Beach State women's soccer team begins conference play this weekend as it welcomes defending Big West champion Cal State Fullerton to George Allen Field for a 6 p.m. showdown on Sunday, Oct. 4.
BEACH TIDBITS
• Long Beach State will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss to the Titans in last year's Big West Tournament final.
• CSF is one of the top offensive teams in the Big West with 27 goals scored, while the Beach is one of the league's best defensive teams with a 0.59 goals against average.
• The 49ers' 0.59 GAA ranks second in the Big West and 30th in the nation.
• LBSU has six shutouts and only seven goals allowed in 11 games.
• The Beach has already played six overtime games, which is one shy of the school record.
• Eight different 49ers have scored this season, with three recording multiple goals (Gonzales, Fox, Alvarez).
• Nine of Long Beach State's 14 goals have been scored by underclassmen.
• Sophomore forward Ashley Gonzales is tops on the squad with four goals and three game-winners.
• Senior center back Melanie Fox scored three times in the second half of a 6-0 win over Portland State for the program's first hat trick since 2012.
IN THE RANKINGS
LBSU was receiving votes in the NSCAA National Poll for the third-straight week. The 49ers, who have been ranked as high as No. 23 this season, have been featured in the national rankings in four of the last five seasons. The Beach was also fourth in the NSCAA West Region rankings.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
Cal State Fullerton (8-1-1, 0-0-0 BWC) was receiving votes in the NSCAA National Poll after closing out its non-conference slate with a 2-0 win over Loyola Marymount and a 6-3 victory over San Diego last weekend. Reigning Big West Offensive Player of the Year Rebecca Wilson leads the Titans with 10 goals and 23 points (3 assists), while Christina Burkenroad has also registered six goals and five assists.
SERIES RECORD
Cal State Fullerton leads the all-time series, 9-7-2. The two teams have been extremely close over the last five meetings with two ties and three one-goal decisions. Last year, the 49ers and Titans played to a regular-season scoreless draw in Fullerton before CSF edged the Beach, 2-1, in the 2014 Big West Tournament championship game.
HOME SWEET HOME
Over the last 11-plus years, Long Beach State has been dominant at home, compiling an impressive 69-24-17 record (.705) at George Allen Field. The Beach had a program-best 10-1-0 home record in 2011.
TOUGH SCHEDULE
Long Beach State had an extremely tough non-conference schedule as seven of its 11 opponents were featured in the NSCAA National Poll at least once this season. The Beach went 2-3-2 in those games, with big 1-0 wins over No. 4 UCLA and No. 21 DePaul. The 49ers also battled USC, which had been ranked as high as 15th, to a scoreless draw.
In addition, all but one of LBSU's non-conference adversaries were coming off a winning season. Eight of those teams recorded at least 10 victories with six advancing to the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
SUPER SOPHOMORE
There isn't any sophomore slump for forward Ashley Gonzales as the 2014 Soccer America Freshman All-American is tops on the squad with four goals, three of which have been game-winners. Her first tally came in the 67th minute of a 1-0 season-opening victory over No. 4 UCLA. Gonzales has also converted on three penalty kicks, including in a 2-1 triumph at Iowa State (81') and a 1-0 win at No. 21 DePaul (59'). She now has 13 career goals, putting her just three away from cracking the LBSU record books.
MCKEOWN ON THE RISE
Junior Ashton McKeown ranks among the top-35 keepers in the country with a 0.61 goals against average (33rd). She has already shut out two ranked opponents, with 1-0 wins over then No. 4 UCLA and No. 21 DePaul. The 2014 Big West Goalkeeper of the Year also blanked USC, San Diego and Bucknell, while combining with Cynthia Diaz to keep Portland State off the scoreboard. McKeown currently ranks second in the Big West in goals against average (0.61) and shutouts (5), and is third in save percentage (.837). She was named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 22, and was an honorable mention selection on Aug. 25.
VINCENT ON THE ASSIST
Sophomore midfielder Jessica Vincent is Long Beach State's assists leader with three this season. Her third helper came on Victoria Bolden's game-tying goal in the 90th minute of a 2-2 tie a Cincinnati. Vincent now has six career assists as she has already matched her total from last year.
MIGHTY MOUSE
Junior midfielder Mimi Rangel has been a force to be reckoned with since she first stepped onto the pitch at George Allen Field as a freshman in 2013. She has started all but one game during her time at Long Beach State, amassing nine goals, 11 assists, 29 points and 101 shot attempts. Rangel is the reigning Big West Midfielder of the Year, and is a two-time first-team all-conference selection. In addition, she was named to the 2014 NSCAA All-West Region Second Team, while also being tabbed the 2013 Big West Freshman of the Year.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Long Beach State continues Big West action on the road next week as it heads to Cal Poly (Oct. 8) and UC Santa Barbara (Oct. 11).
