49ers close Big West action with win

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner
 
Sophomore Sarah Aguilar's first goal of the season was the difference as the Long Beach State women's soccer team closed out its Big West campaign with a 2-1 win against Utah State Sunday afternoon in Logan, Utah.

Though eliminated from contention for a Big West title, the win was the sixth game in a row without a loss for the 49ers (7-7-3 overall, 4-2-2 Big West Conference), setting a record for the team. The result dropped Utah State to (4-12-0, 2-5-0).

LBSU had the attacking edge in the first half, out shooting the Aggies 8-4, but neither team found the net and the half ended scoreless.

Sophomore Marisa Barragan put The Beach ahead 43 seconds into the second half with an unassisted shot blasted from 20-yards out. The goal was the midfielder's second of the season and third career tally.

Down a goal, the Aggies stepped up on the attack and peppered freshman Hannah Cochrun's goal with shots before finally breaking through with seven minutes left in regulation. Senior Jayme Gordy connected on a cross from senior Ashley Cracroft and hit the back of the net from six yards out.

The goal broke Cochrun's run of 333 minutes without allowing a goal, remarkably not even her best on the season.

In four games from Oct.1 to Oct. 14, Cochrun went 341 minutes without having to pick up a ball from the back of her net.   With her season goals against average down to a miniscule 0.65 a game, Cochrun moved past UCI's Allison Merrick (0.71) into first place in the Big West.

Neither team connected in the first overtime frame, which meant a third straight double-overtime game for the 49ers.   Saving the team from the last minute heroics experienced Friday in Boise, Aguilar scored from five yards out two minutes into double overtime to end the suspense.

The final conference record of 4-2-2 matches the team's win total of 4-5 over the past two years, and the 14 points and .625 winning percentage set records, thereby giving the team a higher bar to exceed next year.

With one game remaining this Thursday at Pepperdine (12-5-1, 2-4-0 West Coast Conference), The Beach has a chance to finish with a winning record in the program's history.

The Waves have already notched shutout wins against UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine from the Big West this season but are coming off a 5-0 loss to No. 14-ranked Portland.

Thursday's game will also be the final chance this season for a 49er to take the team scoring title.

Freshman Marcia Rewoldt and senior Jennifer Reott are still tied for the team lead with nine points, and freshman Lacy Brown and junior Amber Glende are close behind with seven points each.