Women’s Soccer Big West Champs After 3-1 Win Over CSUN

Sunday, October 28

Long Beach, Calif.

2:00 PM PT

Long Beach State University

10-5-3, 5-1-2

CSUN

6-9-1, 2-6-0

CSUN

Long Beach State

10/28/2018 5:31:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score - CSUN Photo Gallery

Long Beach State wins the regular season Big West title for the fifth time.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State channeled the energy from Senior Day in a positive way, scoring early and holding off CSUN for a comfortable 3-1 victory Sunday behind goals from Ashley Gonzales, Elysia Laramie and Kylee Ramirez.

It was the seniors that took the stage early for Long Beach State (10-5-3, 5-1-2 Big West). In the 13th minute, Rocio Rodriguez continued good buildup play to find Katie Pingel who left her defender behind with a beautiful touch and put a cross on a plate for Gonzales Long Beach State's all-time career goals scorer did not disappoint with the opening goal to put the Beach on top 1-0 over CSUN (6-9-1, 2-6-0).

Great buildup play from the Beach leads to a goal for SENIOR Ashley Gonzales! LBSU with an early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/l4Z8vLu4SL
— LongBeachStateSoccer (@LBSUSoccer) October 28, 2018

Laramie extended the lead in the 31st minute, as her header from a Chloe Froment corner kick slid past Amanda Delgado in goal for a 2-0 lead. The Matadors bounced back quickly from that goal, however, cutting the lead back to 2-1 on Amy Aquino's third goal of the season.

In the second half, Long Beach State remained on the front foot, as Taylor Bistline forced Delgado into a diving save on a long-range effort, and then the Beach won a free kick just feet outside of the penalty box on a hand ball. The ensuing left-footed free kick from Ramirez found the back of the net for her first career goal in the 59th minute, and Long Beach State saw out the remaining 30 minutes with little to no problems.

LBSU wins a dangerous free kick and Kaylee Ramirez converts for a 3-1 lead! The first goal of the season for the junior. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/lbpztbJXuS
— LongBeachStateSoccer (@LBSUSoccer) October 28, 2018

It took twenty extra minutes after the final whistle in Long Beach, but a tie between UCSB and Cal Poly guaranteed Long Beach State's spot at the top of the standings with 17 points over the Gauchos' 16, as the Beach closed conference play with a 5-1-2 record.

Long Beach State's opponent in the semifinals is still in the balance, but the Beach is scheduled to open the postseason at 5 p.m. in the first of two games on Thursday, November 1 in the Big West Tournament. All three games of the tournament will be hosted by UC Irvine at Anteater Stadium.