Roadrunners trample 49er women's soccer

By Ana Tintocalis, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, September 16, 1998

The Long Beach State women's soccer team was unable to clench its fourth victory of the season as the Roadrunners of Cal State Bakersfield defeated the 49ers 3-2 yesterday afternoon at George Allen Field.

Both teams started out strong in the first half, but each struggled unsuccessfully to get the ball in the net.

It was not until the second half when The Beach scored its first goal when midfielder Monica Reade fired a shot off of a quick pass from midfielder Jennifer Reott.

However, the 49ers celebration was short-lived.

The Roadrunners tied the game when Nicole Van Dyke managed to penetrate through the 49ers defense and out-maneuver goalkeeper Michaeli Ramage for the goal.

With a tenacious offensive line, The Beach was able to put-away their second goal of the game.

The opportunity to score came when forward Kelli Barrett drilled the ball into the net after using some fancy footwork to bypass Roadrunner goalkeeper Kirsten Cuddy.

The Roadrunners answered back with another goal scored by Jaime Simpson which once again tied the score.

"Basically we got ahead, but there was a total lack of defense," Barrett said. "They thought we had it in the bag, but then they tied it up ... The offense did its part in stepping up, but the defense was just crumbling."

Although The Beach made a few more close attempts at scoring, the Roadrunners sealed the victory when midfielder Mary Bordagary shot the ball past Ramage and scored the winning goal.

"I think we played horribly," 49er head coach Julie Cochran said. "Actually I think we played really well, but I can't do anything. They [the players] have to change."

"We should have won the game," Reott said. "I thought that we were equal offensively, but they ended up on top."

The Long Beach women's soccer team will return in action when it travels to Malibu and battles Pepperdine this Friday.