Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
4-5-2
UC Irvine
8-4-1
Black And Blue Rivalry Ends In Draw With UC Irvine
9/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Long Beach, Calif. - Despite Long Beach State putting increasing pressure on UC Irvine as the two teams proceeded through the contest, neither LBSU or the Anteaters were able to find the net in a 0-0 draw to open Big West Conference play for both teams.
For the second straight game, the defensive effort of Long Beach State (4-5-2) was commendable, as the 49ers held UC Irvine (8-4-1) to just five total shots, and only one after halftime. The Anteaters outshot the Beach in the first half, but both of Long Beach State's chances were excellent. Ashley Gonzales was freed for a close-range chance, forcing a save form Maddie Newsom in the 21st minute, while a curling corner kick from Chloe Froment in the 36th minute was kept out of the net by a block from the UCI defense.
Long Beach State increased the pressure in the second half. Ashton McKeown, who finished with two saves, was increasingly untroubled as the Beach spent most of the half in the attacking end after McKeown stopped a 50th minute shot from Grayson Galbraith.
Maddie Newsom made a save on a Froment attempt in the 63rd minute, and LBSU continued to attack, gaining a trio of corner kicks in the later portion of the half. The second of those corners led to the best chance, as Kaitlin Fregulia was able to connect on a shot attempt that ended just wide of the net.
UC Irvine did not manage a shot in the overtime periods, while Long Beach State's best chance came in the final minutes, as Ashley Gonzales worked behind the defense but wasn't able to get enough on the shot to beat the Anteater keeper Newsom.
Long Beach State is back in action on Sunday, hosting CSUN at 6 p.m. at George Allen Field.
