Wild weekend for women's soccer

By R.S. Hakes, On-Line Forty-Niner

Tuesday, September 22, 1998

Myisha Delaney's first goal of the season for the Long Beach State women's soccer team, proved to be a game winner in its 3-2 overtime victory against the Cal State Northridge Matadors on Saturday.

Jenna Koontz assisted Delaney with a free kick from 40 yards out. Delaney broke away from her defender and headed the ball into the goal for the victory in the 101st minute.

Monica Reade scored first for The Beach off a free kick in the 69th minute. Reade, who left late in the game with a sprained left ankle, fired the shot from 30 yards out, tying the game 1-1.

The Beach went up 2-1 six minutes later with a goal from Lori Harris. Kim Stempkowski earned the assist by sending a corner kick into the box, while Harris made a strong move to free herself from the defender and headed the ball into the net.

Both of the Matadors' goals came off of deflections by The Beach's goalkeeper Michaeli Ramage. She knocked down both shots, but could not hang onto the ball and this provided the Matadors with excellent second opportunities.

On Friday, the Beach suffered a tough 2-3 loss to Pepperdine at Tari Frahm Rokus Field in Malibu.

Pepperdine scored first in the 27th minute and added another in the 32nd to increase its lead to 2-0.

The Beach waged a come back in the second half, but fell short. Nicole Avila scored in the 57th minute off an assist from Harris and The Beach was on the scoreboard.

Harris gave the Beach hope with a goal in the 86th minute off an assist by Melanie Griffin, but the celebration was short lived as the clock counted to the 90 minute mark, resulting in a loss.

The Beach is currently 4-5 on the season and will return to action Wednesday at 7 p.m. against San Diego State in San Diego.