The Long Beach State women’s soccer team looked sharp in its Big West opener as it upended defending conference champion Cal State Fullerton in a 1-0 overtime thriller Sunday evening at George Allen Field.

Sophomore Ashley Gonzales provided the late heroics, finding the back of the net in the 93rd minute. It was her team-best fifth goal, and her fourth game-winner, of the season. Gonzales also accounted for half of LBSU’s shots with a career-high eight attempts. Seniors Val Margerum and Melanie Fox were both credited with an assist on the scoring play.

The 49ers, who avenged last year’s Big West Tournament finals loss to the Titans, controlled possession from start to finish. They dominated every facet of the game, winning the battle in shots (16-8), shots on goal (8-4) and corner kicks (4-3).

The Beach defense posted its seventh shutout of the year against a CSF team that was averaging a league-leading 2.70 goals per game. They also held reigning Big West Offensive Player of the Year Rebecca Wilson to only two shots, neither of which were on frame. Junior netminder Ashton McKeown picked up four saves in the win.  

Long Beach State (6-3-3, 1-0-0 Big West) got out to a quick start with Gonzales taking her first shot, a strike from the top of the box, 27 seconds into the game. Sophomore Jessica Vincent then had a good look at the 9:37 mark when her header off a Hannah Sanders cross was saved by Fullerton’s starting keeper Jennifer Stuart.

Gonzales added another close one in the 36th minute as she connected on a lead pass from junior Mimi Rangel, but a diving Stuart was able to get her fingertips on the ball, slowing it down just enough for a defender to get to it and clear it out of the box. The Beach finished the first half with seven shots to the Titans’ three.

In the second period, LBSU kept the pressure on and nearly broke through in the 65th minute. After Stuart collided with sophomore Victoria Bolden in the middle of the box, the ball found the foot of Gonzales, whose attempt was cleared away from the goal line by a Titan defender.

The 49ers carried their momentum into overtime where it didn’t take them long to net the game-winner. At the 92:25 mark, Margerum booted a free kick from midfield into the box. Fox was able to get her head on the ball, flicking it back to Gonzales, who was streaking down the left side. Gonzales then one-touched it past the keeper to the far post.

Long Beach State handed Cal State Fullerton (8-2-1, 0-1-0 BWC) its second loss of the season and snapped the Titans’ 12-game unbeaten streak against Big West teams.

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