Fullerton edges Beach for victory

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner

The Long Beach State women's soccer team suffered a loss in its Big West Conference opener, falling 3-2 in overtime to rivals Cal State Fullerton Saturday at George Allen Field.

In front of a season-high home crowd of 215, LBSU showed heart coming from behind in the second half but a goal by junior Rachel Ferrari four minutes into overtime sealed the 49ers' fate. The loss dropped Long Beach to 3-3-1(0-1-0), and Fullerton moved to 4-4-0(1-0-0).

Coach Julie Cochran said she thought the action on the field was not reflected on the scoreboard.

"The only thing we can take away from this game is that on any given day, anyone can win," Cochran said. "Not to take anything away from Fullerton, because they played a strong game, but this one could have gone either way."

The 49ers started the game aggressively, but were unable to find a way past senior Marla Nelson in the Titans' goal. Junior Sarah Aguilar, the midfield lynchpin as usual, wowed the crowd with a bicycle kick in the 10th minute that bounced wide.

The team scored the game's first goal in the 33rd minute with junior Caitlyn Murphy pouncing on a rebound and knocking the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out.

The Titans equalized the score on a direct free kick in the 41st minute from freshman Danielle Turnquist.

After capitalizing on disorganization in the 49ers box, the Titans took the lead in the 83rd minute with a goal from Lindsey Glick, who scored from 15 yards out.

The 49ers showed its determination by responding with a goal of their own 64 seconds later from senior Jennifer Reott.

"I just came on as a sub so I had a little extra effort to give," said Reott, whose goal and assist bring her season point total to five, tied with freshman Lacy Brown and junior Amber Glende.

In overtime, Fullerton scored a goal that unfolded like the team's second. Freshman Hannah Cochrun was unable to control a loose ball that slipped to Ferrari who knocked it in from five yards out in the fourth minute.

For the game, Long Beach outshot Fullerton 19 to 14. Nelson had six saves for the Titans and the 49ers got one from sophomore goalie Jihan Elgazzar and two from Cochrun.

After going unbeaten in the first four games of the season the 49ers have dropped three in a row, but veteran players said the team will learn from the games.

"We played really well and we dominated and we should have won," Murphy said. "It sucks to lose but we have to get stronger from this. We're competitors and we have to show we can come back from the loss."

Next up for Long Beach is a trip to San Diego with a game against the University of San Diego on Friday and one against San Diego State on Sunday.