Long Beach State University
5-4-0
BYU
4-3-1
Huge Second Half Leads Long Beach State Past BYU
9/17/2018 7:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Long Beach State scores three second-half goals to win 3-1 on the road in Provo.
The goal for Gonzales was the 32nd of her career, moving her into a tie with Kim Silos and Nadia Link for the second-most in school history, one away from tying the record of 33 goals.
It wasn't always easy for Long Beach State (5-4-0), as a strong defensive play kept BYU (4-3-1) off of the board early. The Cougars had an opportunity in the 11th minute, working a ball in towards Madie Gates, but junior Chloe Froment was there to clear the ball off of the line to keep the game scoreless.
Long Beach State brought more pressure in the final five minutes as some substitutions shifted the momentum. Elysia Laramie came on and had Long Beach State's closest opportunity of the half, heading a ball towards goal that was spilled by Davis, but the ball stayed just in front of the line to keep the game scoreless. Makayla Soll and Dana Fujikuni also both had shots at the end of the half to test the Cougars.
BYU opened the scoring in the 54th minute, as Imani McDonald made a diving save but the Cougars maintained possession and ultimately found Bella Folino in the box to score.
Ashley Gonzales comes through again! We're tied 1-1 as @AGon_14 converts her ninth PK. Gonzales now tied with Kim Silos and Nadia Link for 2nd on the @LBSUSoccer career goals list. #GoBeach https://t.co/jjj5PbNhRt
— LongBeachStateSoccer (@LBSUSoccer) September 18, 2018
In the 65th minute Long Beach State evened the score, as Dana Fujikuni was pulled down in the box, setting up a penalty kick, the first of the season for the Beach. Ashley Gonzales stepped up and finished off the tenth PK of her career to tie the score at 1-1.
Just like the first half, the momentum would continue to shift in Long Beach State's favor as the half wore on. The breakthrough for the Beach came finally in the 79th minute, as Bistline took a chance from distance and it paid off with a beautiful goal that put the Beach in the lead 2-1.
Long Beach State scores again! Rola Badawiya into the side netting puts @LBSUSoccer on top on the road at BYU 3-1!! #GoBeach https://t.co/pzZgpZ7nHv
— LongBeachStateSoccer (@LBSUSoccer) September 18, 2018
Minutes later, the Beach added a third as Rola Badawiya found just enough space to rip a great shot into the side netting to put Long Beach State on top 3-1. LBSU closed out the remaining few minutes and closed out the win.
BYU entered the day with an RPI of 57, just behind Long Beach State's 43, and the victory should stand as a quality win in the discussion of who deserves a place in the NCAA Tournament later this year.
Long Beach State returns home this weekend, hosting Loyola Marymount at home at George Allen Field on Saturday, September 22 at 7 p.m.
Team Stats
FOLINO, Bella (3)
Assisted By: FLAKE, Elise , GATES, Madie
From penalty line past keeper to left co
54:48
Gonzales, Ashley (3)
LBSU Gonzales, Ashley PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
64:59
Bistline, Taylor (2)
Assisted By: Siqueiros, Nadiyah , Alvarez, Alyssa
Outside 18-yard line to top of net
79:21
Badawiya, Rola (1)
Assisted By: Soll, Makayla , Siqueiros, Nadiyah
Shot from right side of 18-yard box to l
82:52
