Freshman Fatmata Kamara scored the golden goal in the 98th minute to give top-seeded Long Beach State a thrilling 1-0 overtime win over No. 4 seed UC Riverside in the Big West Tournament semifinals Thursday evening at Titan Stadium.

The Beach advances to the championship for the second year in a row where it will face No. 3 seed and host Cal State Fullerton in a rematch of last year's final.

"Hats off to UC Riverside's coaching staff and all their players," LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. "They gave us all we could handle, as they always do. I was very happy with our girls because we had to adjust the game plan a couple times, and they read the game. They understood what we needed to do and created a ton of opportunities. I felt really good about our performance and our grit. We had to grind this one out so we're happy to be playing on Sunday."

Long Beach State (12-5-3) had numerous chances throughout regulation, but was unable to capitalize until its first opportunity in the overtime period. Sophomore Jessica Vincent put a nice touch on the ball to split two defenders on a give-and-go pass to classmate Ashley Gonzales on the right wing. Gonzales then drove toward the near post where she delivered a cross inside the six-yard line. It got past a diving UCR keeper and freshman Fatmata Kamara was ready on the other end as she tapped it to the back of the net on a sliding attempt.

"On the previous play, I had just missed a ball that came across the six so I knew I had to do all I could to get on the other end of it," Kamara said. "I told my teammates during the half that if they played the ball inside I would do my very best. I just did what I could, Ashley played a great ball."

Kamara now has three goals, all of which have been game-winners. Vincent pushed her assist total to a team-best six, while Gonzales picked up her first helper of the year. Gonzales is also tops on the team with 17 points (8 goals, 1 assist).

Kamara, Vincent and sophomore Victoria Bolden finished with a game-high tying two shots apiece.

Freshman keeper Imani McDonald had another stellar performance in front of the net where she remained unbeaten in her fourth career start (4-0-0). She totaled five saves and earned her second solo shutout.

The two teams went back-and-forth early in the first half. UC Riverside (11-9-0) took the first shot of the game in the 13th minute, and although the Highlanders kept the ball in their offensive third for the next eight minutes or so, the 49er back line kept them from getting a good look on goal.

The momentum shifted quickly after Bolden entered the match in the 17th minute. At the 22:16 mark, she used her speed to get to a lead pass and with only the keeper to beat, Bolden one-touched it past Elizabeth Silas, but couldn't catch up to the ball as it rolled just wide of the post and out of bounds.

Gonzales also had a chance to dent the scoreboard in the 26th minute, while Vincent had two opportunities in the final five. Vincent's best look came at the 44:15 mark when she found herself in a one-on-one, but she tried to finesse it past an oncoming Silas, who was able to make the diving stop.

The second half was similar to the first with UCR getting a couple of early shots before the Beach took over. LBSU's best chance of the night came in the 70th minute when freshman Alyssa Alvarez switched the ball to Vincent on the right wing. On one touch, Vincent centered the ball for Bolden, who was wide-open, but her left-footed shot went wide.

Kamara also had a solid strike at the 74:18 mark as her volley shot from 12 yards out was inches over the cross bar.

A big play came with eight seconds left in regulation when the Highlanders' leading scorer, Tyler Cunningham, left the game after receiving her second yellow card. Although the Black & Gold didn't get an attempt before the end of the half, they carried that momentum into overtime, leading up to Kamara's golden goal.

Long Beach State returns to Titan Stadium for the Big West Tournament final against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, Nov. 8. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be televised live on Fox Prime Ticket.

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