SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The Long Beach State women's soccer team scored twice in the second half to come away with a huge 2-0 conference road win against Cal Poly Thursday evening at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

The Beach defense was dominant once again, keeping the Mustang attackers out of rhythm, and limiting them to nine attempts. Junior keeper Ashton McKeown compiled five saves in her seventh solo shutout of the season.

The 49ers, who have eight total clean sheets this year, have now blanked two of the Big West's top-three offensive teams as they also took down defending conference champion Cal State Fullerton, 1-0, in the league opener on Sunday (Oct. 4). LBSU has not conceded a goal since Sept. 26.

On the offensive end, freshman Fatmata Kamara scored her second career game-winning goal in the 57th minute, while senior Vania Robles added her second tally of the season in the 75th minute. Junior Mimi Rangel and freshman Jordan Sanders each finished with an assist. It was Rangel's 12th career helper which moves her into a tie for ninth in school history.

After playing a scoreless first half, Long Beach State (7-3-3, 2-0-0 Big West) got on the board at the 56:57 mark. Rangel collected the ball near the top of the box and chipped it over the Mustang defense. Meanwhile, Kamara made a run down the left side, sneaking behind the back line to find herself in a one-on-one situation, where she beat the keeper to the far post.

The Beach then added an insurance goal at the 74:46 mark. Following a Cal Poly foul, Sanders curled the free kick from the right corner to the far post, and Robles was in perfect position, heading the ball to the back of the net.

LBSU took control early, spending most of the opening period in the attacking third. Senior Melanie Fox had the first look of the game in the 20th minute, firing a shot from the top of the box that went over the crossbar, but it was sophomore Victoria Bolden who had the best opportunity nearly 10 minutes later. At the 28:32 mark, Kamara delivered a through pass and with Mustang keeper Alyssa Giannetti out of position, Bolden took a sliding shot that was knocked away from the goal line by CP defender Robin Mertens.

Cal Poly, which was the preseason favorite to win the Big West, dropped to 5-4-5 overall and 1-2-0 in conference play. Elise Krieghoff led the Mustangs with four shots.

Long Beach State will look to improve to 3-0 in Big West action for the first time since 2011 when it takes on UC Santa Barbara this Sunday, Oct. 11. Kick-off is set for noon at Harder Stadium.

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