Strong First Half Slips Away For Women’s Soccer Against League Leaders

Wednesday, October 14

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

7-3-5, 1-2-3

Cal State Fullerton

7-2-5, 4-0-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Cal St. Fullerton	0	2	2
Long Beach St.	1	0	1

Strong First Half Slips Away For Women’s Soccer Against League Leaders

10/14/2026 10:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Beach dominated the first half, but Cal State Fullerton took a 2-1 win.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State outshot Cal State Fullerton 9-1 in the first half and held a 1-0 lead through 45 minutes, but the Titans rallied in the second half to grab a 2-1 win in the rivalry.

Long Beach State (7-3-5, 1-2-3 Big West) were in complete command in the opening half. The Beach held 64% of possession and put up nine shots, knocking on the door early. After two early shots from Radisson Banks and Cherrie Cox, Cox drew a yellow card and a Kylie Perez shot on the restart went just high.

Continuing to work forward, the Beach found Cassidy Drago in the center of the box in the 20th minute for their best chance yet, but Cal State Fullerton (7-2-5, 4-0-2 Big West) goalkeeper Allison Craycroft was able to get just enough on it to tip it onto the crossbar for a save. Craycroft picked up another save on the ensuing corner from Ameera White.

The Beach kept pushing, as Drago left a layoff for a Banks shot in the 33rd, and a header from Natalie Arnold was saved minutes later.

The breakthrough finally came for the Beach in the 38th minute. Cherrie Cox was fouled at the top of the box, and Ameera White delivered a beautiful direct free kick into the corner to beat Craycroft and put the Beach in front 1-0 just before the end of the half.

After just one shot in the first half, Cal State Fullerton turned things around in the second. Isabella Contreras put a shot off the underside of the bar in the 50th minute, and finally the tying goal came in the 63rd as a low cross from Camryn Cruz was knocked in by Jenna Rivera to tie the game.

With the score even, the game opened up, and Cox had two strong chances in behind, including one in the 66th that missed by inches. A foul just outside the box near the endline led to another opportunity for the Titans, and the cross from Riley O'Brien was headed home by Skye Johnson to put Cal State Fullerton in front.

Long Beach State had one final chance, as Cox was knocked around in the box, but the VAR challenge ruled there was no foul and the Titans held on for the win.

Rivalry week continues for Long Beach State on the weekend, as the Beach travels to UC Irvine for the Black and Blue Rivalry. That game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 17.