Cox's Record Breaking 37th Goal Not Enough In Draw Against Runners

Saturday, October 31

Long Beach, Calif.

1 p.m.

Long Beach State University

9-5-6, 3-4-4

Cal State Bakersfield

2-15-3, 1-8-2

Team	1	2	Final F
CSU Bakersfield	0	1	1
Long Beach St.	0	1	1

10/31/2026 3:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Cherrie Cox now stands alone as the most prolific goalscorer in Long Beach State History.

By: Quinn Ireland, Assistant Athletic Director of Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Cherrie Cox became the all-time leading goalscorer in Long Beach State women's soccer history Saturday, scoring the 37th goal of her career in the 75th minute, but CSU Bakersfield answered eight minutes later and the Beach settled for a 1-1 draw at George Allen Field that ended its Big West Tournament hopes.

It was the final day of conference play with three tournament spots available, and Long Beach State (9-5-6, 3-4-4 Big West) needed a win to guarantee itself a chance. The Beach played like a team that knew it, outshooting Bakersfield (2-15-3, 1-8-2) 31-5 and putting 10 shots on goal to the Runners' two. Long Beach also held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks.

The Beach battered the CSUB defense for most of the first half, outshooting the Runners 16-2 over the first 45 minutes, and still went to the break scoreless after an early goal was wiped off the board for offside. Cox wanted to break the record early on and had a shot saved low through the middle in the 7th minute after some nice interplay with Cassidy Drago. In the 13th minute, a Ruby Mansour cross off a through ball from Ameera White was dangerous, but no one was home to finish it, and Kana Uchida's shot on the ensuing action struck the top of the frame.

Bakersfield goalkeeper Addyson Evens kept the Runners level through the rest of the half. In the 22nd minute she made a strong save on Cox off a cross from Mansour. Cox found some space at the back post and met Mansour's cross with a vicious header but was turned away by Evens. Evens also turned aside White's shot in the 30th minute, a venomous strike that was destined for the top corner. Cox was again a few inches away in the 35th minute when her shot went just off the post and out for a goal kick. In the final seconds of the half, Nikki Velasco's shot off a cross from Uchida sailed high and wide.

With a postseason spot on the line, the Beach came out firing again in the second half. Kylie Perez hit the top of the frame in the 50th minute, and Yuika Nakayama sent a shot high in the 60th minute that looked like a good opportunity.

The breakthrough came with 15:30 remaining. Radisson Banks, who had checked in only 79 seconds earlier for Kailey Supa, delivered instant offense, setting up Cox with an assist from Olivia Yu. Yu played the ball into the danger area and Cox was there to slide the ball across the line and wheel away in celebration. Cox's finish was her 14th goal of the season and her 37th for the Beach, one more than anyone has scored in a Long Beach State uniform.

Bakersfield tied it in the 83rd minute when Olivia Green scored, on just the Runners' third shot of the match.

Long Beach threw everything forward at the end as they needed a win and more goals to put themselves in a position to advance. Cox had a shot saved in the 89th minute, the Beach won two corners in the span of eight seconds, and Uchida's shot in the 90th minute was saved by Evens, who made nine saves on the afternoon, six of them in the second half.

The Beach could not break the deadlock and will miss out on the Big West Tournament. This officially closes the book on the 2026 women's soccer season.