Thursday, September 2
San Diego, Calif.
7 P.M.
Long Beach State University
at
San Diego
Photo by: John Fajardo
Long Beach State Heads South for Matches with USD and SDSU
8/31/2021 4:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Beach will play both of their matches this week down in San Diego.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State is set for two more matches in week three of the season as they face the University of San Diego on Thursday and San Diego State on Sunday.
Thursday, September 2
Long Beach State at San Diego
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Torero Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch: WCC Network
Sunday, September 5
Long Beach State at San Diego State
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: SDSU Sports Deck (San Diego, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch: Mountain West Network
LAST TIME OUT
• The Beach split their two matches last week with a 2-1 upset win over #8 Pepperdine and falling 1-0 to #4 UCLA.
• Against the Waves, the Beach scored both goals in the first 10 minutes and after Pepperdine responded in the 11th minute, LBSU's defense held them in check for 78 minutes to complete the upset.
• Against the Bruins, Long Beach State went toe-to-toe as neither team scored until UCLA's lone goal in the 78th minute.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS
• The 2-1 upset win over #8 Pepperdine marked Long Beach State's first win over a ranked opponent since August 24, 2017 when they defeated then #22 Northwestern, 2-0.
• The victory also marked the Beach's first win over a top ten team since the 2015 season opener against #4 UCLA, 1-0.
BACK TO BACK
• After claiming the first Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season, Morgan Houston-Shepherd made it two in a row after notching 10 saves against a pair of top ten teams last week. It is the first time an LBSU player has won back-to-back honors since 2014.
THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
• With a win over #8 and a tough battle against #4 last week, the Beach have started climbing the rankings. In the United Soccer Coaches National Poll, the team is receiving votes while moving up to number three in the West Region rankings.
• It marks the first time the Beach has received votes and been as high as three in the West Region, since November 5, 2018.
FAVORITES TO WIN IT ALL
• The Big West preseason poll was announced on Thursday, Aug. 12 and the Beach found themselves in the top spot with 106 points, edging out defending champion Cal State Fullerton by two points. In addition to the top spot in the poll, senior defender Kaitlin Fregulia was named to the preseason All-Conference Team. She was the lone Beach representative and one of just two defenders on the list.
WEST COAST, BEST COAST
• LBSU is staying close to home this season with all 20 of their matches coming against western teams. In fact, they will only play three non-California schools (Washington, Montana, Hawaii) and the only road contest of those three will be against the Huskies up in Seattle. Despite that, the Beach will face tough competition including four teams currently in the United Soccer Coaches rankings (#4 UCLA, #8 Pepperdine, RV Cal, RV Washington).
ABOUT THE ROSTER
• There are 10 new faces joining the team this year, all of which are incoming freshman. Among them are two forwards, three midfielders, four defenders, and a goalkeeper. The newcomers will be joining the entire group of 25 student-athletes that were slated to play the 2020 season before it was cancelled. Among that group is four Power 5 transfers, three from the PAC-12 and one from the SEC.
BACK FOR MORE
• Among some of the notable returners is three-time All-Conference selection and 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Kaitlin Fregulia. She was named an All-Big West Second Team selection at the end of the 2019 campaign.
• Returning for her third season in the black and gold is Lena Silano. The junior forward enjoyed a very successful summer playing for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat. She led her squad to the UWS National Championship scoring the game-winning goal and earning Finals MVP.
INJURY REPORT
• The injury bug struck the Beach in the offseason, sidelining three players for the entirety of the 2021 campaign. Most notable of them is 2019 All-Big West First Team selection, Elysia Laramie, who suffered a torn ACL and will be out of action all year. Incoming freshman Morgan Irvine is also recovering from a torn ACL and will be forced to miss her first season in black and gold.
BUILDING THE RESUME
• Over the last decade, the Beach has been a dominant force in the Big West Conference claiming four Big West Tournament titles and two regular season titles. They have been to the conference tournament finals six different times since 2010.
• Beyond the Big West Conference, Long Beach State has made their presence known nationally as well. Since 2008, the team has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances including a run in 2011 where they reached the Elite 8.
SCOUTING THE TOREROS
• San Diego sits at 3-1 after suffering their first loss of the year in double overtime against Seattle last Saturday.
• As a team, they have outscored their opponents 10-5 through four games averaging 15.3 shots per game. They have had 8 different goal scorers thus far, led by Delany Jannone and Bekah Valdez who each have two.
• In goal, most of the time has gone to Ellyn Casto who has made 14 saves, sporting a 73.7% save percentage.
• Long Beach State trails the all-time series 5-11-3, but has won the last two meetings including a double overtime victory back in 2019.
• The biggest game in the all-time series was in 2011 when the Beach beat the Toreros 1-0 in the Sweet 16 to advance to their first ever Elite 8.
SCOUTING THE AZTECS
• San Diego State owns a 1-3 record and are coming off a tough 6-0 loss to #13 Stanford last week.
• Through their first four games, they are being outscored 11-2 and outshot 92-30. Laura Fuentes leads the way with three points.
• Alexa Madueno has been the only keeper for the SDSU allowing 2.75 goals per game. She has totaled 32 saves with a 74.4% save percentage.
• Long Beach State and SDSU are tied in the all-time series at 5-5-2, but the Beach has won the last three matchups with the most recent being in 2018.
Thursday, September 2
Long Beach State at San Diego
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Torero Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch: WCC Network
Sunday, September 5
Long Beach State at San Diego State
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: SDSU Sports Deck (San Diego, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch: Mountain West Network
LAST TIME OUT
• The Beach split their two matches last week with a 2-1 upset win over #8 Pepperdine and falling 1-0 to #4 UCLA.
• Against the Waves, the Beach scored both goals in the first 10 minutes and after Pepperdine responded in the 11th minute, LBSU's defense held them in check for 78 minutes to complete the upset.
• Against the Bruins, Long Beach State went toe-to-toe as neither team scored until UCLA's lone goal in the 78th minute.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS
• The 2-1 upset win over #8 Pepperdine marked Long Beach State's first win over a ranked opponent since August 24, 2017 when they defeated then #22 Northwestern, 2-0.
• The victory also marked the Beach's first win over a top ten team since the 2015 season opener against #4 UCLA, 1-0.
BACK TO BACK
• After claiming the first Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season, Morgan Houston-Shepherd made it two in a row after notching 10 saves against a pair of top ten teams last week. It is the first time an LBSU player has won back-to-back honors since 2014.
THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
• With a win over #8 and a tough battle against #4 last week, the Beach have started climbing the rankings. In the United Soccer Coaches National Poll, the team is receiving votes while moving up to number three in the West Region rankings.
• It marks the first time the Beach has received votes and been as high as three in the West Region, since November 5, 2018.
FAVORITES TO WIN IT ALL
• The Big West preseason poll was announced on Thursday, Aug. 12 and the Beach found themselves in the top spot with 106 points, edging out defending champion Cal State Fullerton by two points. In addition to the top spot in the poll, senior defender Kaitlin Fregulia was named to the preseason All-Conference Team. She was the lone Beach representative and one of just two defenders on the list.
WEST COAST, BEST COAST
• LBSU is staying close to home this season with all 20 of their matches coming against western teams. In fact, they will only play three non-California schools (Washington, Montana, Hawaii) and the only road contest of those three will be against the Huskies up in Seattle. Despite that, the Beach will face tough competition including four teams currently in the United Soccer Coaches rankings (#4 UCLA, #8 Pepperdine, RV Cal, RV Washington).
ABOUT THE ROSTER
• There are 10 new faces joining the team this year, all of which are incoming freshman. Among them are two forwards, three midfielders, four defenders, and a goalkeeper. The newcomers will be joining the entire group of 25 student-athletes that were slated to play the 2020 season before it was cancelled. Among that group is four Power 5 transfers, three from the PAC-12 and one from the SEC.
BACK FOR MORE
• Among some of the notable returners is three-time All-Conference selection and 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Kaitlin Fregulia. She was named an All-Big West Second Team selection at the end of the 2019 campaign.
• Returning for her third season in the black and gold is Lena Silano. The junior forward enjoyed a very successful summer playing for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat. She led her squad to the UWS National Championship scoring the game-winning goal and earning Finals MVP.
INJURY REPORT
• The injury bug struck the Beach in the offseason, sidelining three players for the entirety of the 2021 campaign. Most notable of them is 2019 All-Big West First Team selection, Elysia Laramie, who suffered a torn ACL and will be out of action all year. Incoming freshman Morgan Irvine is also recovering from a torn ACL and will be forced to miss her first season in black and gold.
BUILDING THE RESUME
• Over the last decade, the Beach has been a dominant force in the Big West Conference claiming four Big West Tournament titles and two regular season titles. They have been to the conference tournament finals six different times since 2010.
• Beyond the Big West Conference, Long Beach State has made their presence known nationally as well. Since 2008, the team has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances including a run in 2011 where they reached the Elite 8.
SCOUTING THE TOREROS
• San Diego sits at 3-1 after suffering their first loss of the year in double overtime against Seattle last Saturday.
• As a team, they have outscored their opponents 10-5 through four games averaging 15.3 shots per game. They have had 8 different goal scorers thus far, led by Delany Jannone and Bekah Valdez who each have two.
• In goal, most of the time has gone to Ellyn Casto who has made 14 saves, sporting a 73.7% save percentage.
• Long Beach State trails the all-time series 5-11-3, but has won the last two meetings including a double overtime victory back in 2019.
• The biggest game in the all-time series was in 2011 when the Beach beat the Toreros 1-0 in the Sweet 16 to advance to their first ever Elite 8.
SCOUTING THE AZTECS
• San Diego State owns a 1-3 record and are coming off a tough 6-0 loss to #13 Stanford last week.
• Through their first four games, they are being outscored 11-2 and outshot 92-30. Laura Fuentes leads the way with three points.
• Alexa Madueno has been the only keeper for the SDSU allowing 2.75 goals per game. She has totaled 32 saves with a 74.4% save percentage.
• Long Beach State and SDSU are tied in the all-time series at 5-5-2, but the Beach has won the last three matchups with the most recent being in 2018.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
F
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