Online Forty Niner: v8n2: Women's soccer team begins season on top

The 49er offense controlled play for most of the first half, out-shooting Fairfield 5-2, but never found the back of the net. Foward Marcia Rewoldt and midfielder Caitlin Murphy both had three shots for the 49ers while sophomore Marisa Barragan posted two. LBSU goalkeeper Jihan Elgazzar made three saves en route to the shutout.

Fairfield stayed alive by out-shooting LBSU 8-5 during the second frame and 6-2 in the overtime periods, but their shots never found the mark. Elgazzar came up huge with only three seconds remaining in the first overtime period, stopping a point-blank Fairfield shot to uphold the standoff.

The 49ers notched their first win of the season Sunday with a 3-2 decision over Binghampton University.

LBSU took the lead early when Binghampton's Cara Biondo deflected a shot into the net for the 49ers. LBSU made it 2-0 at the 31:41 mark on a short-range shot from junior Amber Glende, with an assist to sophomore Sarah Aguilar.

Binghampton rallied with a goal from Tracy Kasma at 40:01to cut the defecit to 2-1 before halftime.

LBSU extended their lead to 3-1 at 48:15 of the second half when freshman Lacy Brown's 30-yard shot bounced over the goalkeeper's head and into the net. Binghampton managed a goal to bring the score to 3-2, but the 49ers defense held them for the rest of the game.

The 49ers had 21 shots and 10 corner kicks while Binghampton had only three shots and no corner kicks. The three goals scored against Binghampton was also the highest offensive output for the 49ers since Oct. 18, 1998, when LBSU lost to Fullerton 4-3.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Long Beach State goalkeeper Jihan Elgazzar dives for a save in a match last season.