Early Red Card Gives Cal State Fullerton The Edge In 3-0 Defeat For Women’s Soccer

Sunday, October 22

Fullerton, CA

5 p.m.

Long Beach State University

9-6-3, 4-3-2

Cal State Fullerton

7-4-7, 5-1-3

Long Beach St.

Cal St. Fullerton

Early Red Card Gives Cal State Fullerton The Edge In 3-0 Defeat For Women’s Soccer

10/22/2023 7:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Starting goalkeeper Zora Standifer was sent off in the 15th minute in a contest-shaking decision.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

FULLERTON, Calif. – Playing the majority of the contest a played down, Long Beach State worked diligently and held strong defensively after a devastating sequence in the first half, but Cal State Fullerton ultimately came away with a 3-0 win Sunday from Titan Stadium.

                Long Beach State (9-6-3, 4-3-2 Big West) held large swaths of possession in the early minutes, and some quick combination play led to a Julia Moore shot that was just wide of target in the fifth minute, and then Cherrie Cox had a great opportunity minutes later in the ninth.

                The complexion of the game changed minutes later with an individual moment of skill from Cal State Fullerton (7-4-7, 5-1-3 Big West) followed by a critical referee's decision. With LBSU numbers forward, the Titans' Makenna McGill was able to work her way through the Beach defense and open the scoring in the 13th minute with an unassisted goal.

                Minutes later, Zora Standifer was forced to come out of her box but a shoulder-to-shoulder foul with the defense crashing behind was deemed a Denial of Goal Scoring Opportunity, earning the junior keeper a straight red. Isabella Cruz then scored the ensuing free kick from just outside the box to make the score 2-0 in the 15th minute with the Beach shorthanded the rest of the way.

                With the man advantage, Cal State Fullerton added a third on their next corner, which slipped through to McGill, who scored her second goal of the night to increase the lead.

                Working their way back into the contest, Long Beach State saw great opportunities for Cox and Makayla Demelo over the first 15 minutes of the second half, but the challenge was too much with a player down against the Titans who ended the night leading the Big West with one game remaining for all teams.

                Long Beach State finishes off the regular season at home, returning to George Allen Field to host Hawai'i on Thursday, October 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the entirety of the league kicks off simultaneously to set up the final day. The Beach holds their own destiny for the Big West Championship, and will determine their seeding with their result along with others Thursday.