Roese scores game-winner in overtime to lift 18th-ranked 49ers past Arizona in season opener
Aug. 17, 2012 LONG BEACH - Sophomore Ashley Roese recorded the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the 18th-ranked Long Beach State women's soccer team past visiting Arizona, 2-1, in the season opener at George Allen Field. With the win, the 49ers (1-0) collected their eighth consecutive win at home and have won their last 11 of 12 games at George Allen Field that dates back to last season. Roese netted her second career goal in the 93rd minute receiving the ball from junior Eileen Maes as Roese shot the ball from the middle of the box to the left corner. Arizona (0-1) came off attacking right away just moments after the start of the game as the Wildcats' Jazmin Ponce shot the ball from midfield right towards the 49ers' Marrina Meyers. LBSU would go on the counterattack early in the game as freshman Lizzy Lyons drove down the field in a breakaway that saw her shooting the ball from eight yards out. A minute later senior Nadia Link would go on the offensive battling two Arizona players as she shot the ball from midfield right towards the Wildcats' goalie Gabby Kaufman. In the 28th minute, Link came within a few feet from scoring her first goal of the season as she headed the ball from within the box as it hit the crossbar. In the 33rd minute, Arizona was awarded a penalty kick as the 49ers were called for a handball inside the box. The Wildcats' Ponce drilled the ball towards the left side of the net as the 49ers' Meyers stopped the ball. The ball rolled back out to Ponce as she kicked it back towards the net to have it blocked again by Meyers. Senior Alex Balcer would put the 49ers on the board first scoring in the 44th minute with a free kick from midfield that sailed over Arizona goalie Gabby Kaufman, taking a bounce three yards into the net.
The 49ers recorded seven shots to close out the first half as the Wildcats collected six shots. In the second half, Arizona would tie the game in the 55th minute by Ponce's crossgoal from eight yards out. LBSU would outshoot the Wildcats nine to three in the second half to finish the game with 18 shots and three corner kicks. Arizona finished with nine shots and one corner kick. Meyers, starting her first game in the front of the net for LBSU, collected five saves for the game. LBSU continues its three-game home stand next week as the 49ers host Saint Francis on Friday at 7 p.m. and Baylor on Sunday at 1 p.m. Scoring |
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