Long Beach State women’s soccer (2-3-0) finished its season opening homestand with a 3-0 victory over Drexel on Sunday at George Allen Field. LBSU got goals from Myah Baksh, Elysia Laramie and Katie Pingel to maintain its balanced attack that’s produced seven different goal scorers this season.
WATCH HIGHLIGHT VIDEO — SEE PHOTO GALLERY
“This is the type of game that can help build your confidence and identity,” LBSU coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “It’s good for our players to get this feeling.”
LBSU had 12 shots in each half and outshot Drexel 24-7 on the day with 15 shots on goal. A total of 15 players took at least one shot for the Beach, led by Lena Silano with four. Sierra Castles had a team-high three shots on goal.
“We create a lot of chances and we’ve been kind of getting on ourselves for not finishing,” senior Katie Pingel said. “The hardest thing for us is getting the first goal, and once we get it that opens up everything. We have more fun, our confidence goes up and it just opens the flood gates.”
Baksh’s free kick in the 43rd minute that bounced off the Drexel goalkeeper and in opened those flood gates. The Santa Clara transfer also played well in the back as goalkeeper Marta Alemany Sanchez collected her first clean sheet with a pair of nice saves.
“I’ve played for Mauricio (in club) so it’s the same style of play,” Baksh said. “It’s a style I’ve always known how to play, and it’s super easy to step in with this team. They’re fantastic girls and fantastic players.”
In the 66th minute, Pingel’s corner kick was finished at the back post by the inside of Laramie’s left foot. In the 80th minute, Long Beach Poly grad Sarah Pilster’s cross found Pingel at the top of the box for the third and final goal.
“This was a really big win for us,” Baksh said. “Our goal was to step on the field and hold our home record from here on out. This is a good win for our momentum going forward.”
Long Beach City College Football
CLICK HERE for a full report and video highlight from the Vikings season opening win on Saturday.
LBSU Women’s Volleyball
The Beach lost all three of its LBSU Mizuno Classic games at Walter Pyramid last weekend to Texas State, Georgia and UCLA. Senior libero Hailey Harward was named to the LBSU Mizuno Classic All-Tournament Team after collecting 60 digs over the three matches for an average of 5.00 digs per set. SEE PHOTOS
LBCC Women’s Soccer
The Vikings opened their season with a 2-1 loss at Cypress College last week. Freshman forward Allison Rose Veloz led LBCC with three shots, and freshman forward Nathaly Silva scored her first goal in the second half to tie the game. Freshman goalkeeper Almareli Quintero totaled five saves for the Vikings.
LBCC Men’s Soccer
Last week was a forgettable one for LBCC with a pair of lopsided losses to Pasadena and Antelope College. Sophomore midfielders Sergio Flores and Alexander Moreno each scored goals for the Vikings.
LBCC Men’s Water Polo
The Vikings opened their season with four wins at the Golden West Tournament last weekend.
Stay tuned for our LBSU men’s water polo and LBCC women’s volleyball previews coming this week.