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Long Beach State Women’s Soccer Team Settles for Draw Against San Diego
In a tightly contested match, the Long Beach State women’s soccer team faced off against San Diego on Thursday evening, ultimately concluding the game in a 1-1 tie. Despite a strong showing, the Beach left the field with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Strategic Execution by the Beach
Long Beach State’s coach, Mauricio Ingrassia, expressed satisfaction with how his players executed their game plan. “I thought we did an excellent job of following the game plan,” he stated. “We gave ourselves a lot of shots, a lot of stuff on goal. Finishing could have been a little bit better but you know that’s one very good performance.”
First Half Highlights
Throughout the match, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, resulting in a measured first half. The Beach’s most significant opportunity came in the 23rd minute when Logan Nidy struck a powerful shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and was believed to have crossed the goal line. However, the referee’s lengthy review determined that the ball did not cross completely, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
Second Half Surge
The second half witnessed a surge in intensity from Long Beach State, which outshot San Diego 11-3. Progress finally materialized in the 71st minute, when Cherrie Cox capitalized on a rebound from a teammate’s shot that hit the crossbar, securing a 1-0 lead for the Beach.
“Our team got robbed from the first goal,” said Cox, reflecting on the earlier near miss. “We can’t let it happen again. So, at least someone had to get one.”
San Diego’s Equalizer
However, the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, in the 76th minute, San Diego’s Josefine Schlichting took advantage of a defensive lapse, scoring the equalizer and leveling the match at 1-1.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment of leaving points on the field, the match offered valuable insights for Long Beach State. They will use the footage to better prepare for upcoming competition, especially since San Diego has already faced several teams from the Big West, providing the Beach an opportunity to analyze their performance.
Long Beach State’s next contest will be against New Mexico State on Sunday at 1 p.m., as they aim to finish non-conference play on a positive note.
