The Long Beach State women’s soccer team bounced back from a heartbreaking loss on Friday at No. 2 UCLA with a 1-0 victory over SMU on Sunday at George Allen Field.
Sophomore Nadiyah Siqueiros netted the game-winner in the 57th minute, and SMU missed a penalty kick with 15 minutes left in regulation.
“To go toe-to-toe with No. 2 and lose like that was heart wrenching,” LBSU goalkeeper Imani McDonald said. “But we were able to turn around and battle. Our chemistry is off the charts, and we have so much potential.”
LBSU (1-1-0) was outshot 7-2 in the first half while McDonald made three of her five saves. The Beach turned the tide in the second half, outshooting SMU 6-3, and Siqueiros led her team with three shots. Twelve minutes after halftime, Rola Badawiya broke free down the left side. Her cross just missed Kayla Cannon’s header attempt, but fell to Siqueiros. The sophomore’s first touch off the half-volley beat SMU goalkeeper Samantha Estrada.
“When it went over Kayla’s head I just told myself ‘this has to go in’,” Siqueiros said. “So I just laced it right into the net.”
LBSU freshman Sierra Castles and Badawiya each had two shots.
SMU (1-1-0) drew a foul in the 18-yard box in the 76th minute, but after a long delay while players shoved for position on the edge of the box, Courtney Sebazco pulled her penalty kick wide left. SMU only mustered one more shot for the rest of the game.
LBSU will host Northeastern (Friday) and San Diego State (Sunday) next weekend.
