The No. 25-ranked Long Beach State women’s soccer team entered the city of Bakersfield Friday with the intent of proving why it deserves to be ranked among the best teams in the region. A 5-0 shutout of Cal State Bakersfield was proof enough.
Freshman forward Kristen Kiefer scored a goal and added an assist, while junior forward Hayley Bolt also had a goal as LBSU’s defense stood firm against the Roadrunners, which had only two shots on goal.
LBSU took a 2-0 lead in the first half, both goals coming off assists by junior midfielder Mariko Strickland. The reserves took over in the second half, and redshirt freshman forward Nikki Myers added two more goals as LBSU cruised to victory.
“CS Bakersfield was not very skilled, but they used their aggressiveness to stay in the game,” said freshman midfielder Lindsay Bullock.
Junior goalkeeper Liz Ramos and junior transfer Breanna Truelove split halves. Truelove recorded one save in the second half.
LBSU faced a greater challenge Sunday morning against the University of Utah. The team not only had to contend with a 2006 NCAA tournament second round team in the sweltering heat, but also faced interference from the ongoing Long Beach Blues Festival, which forced an early start time for LBSU.
However, LBSU stood resilient against the Utes, winning 1-0 in sudden death overtime from a corner kick by Bullock, assisted by junior forward Kim Silos in the 97th minute.
LBSU initially felt overwhelmed by Utah’s aggression throughout regulation, as the Utes stifled the defense with 15 shots, compared to LBSU’s eight.
Ramos played the entire game, recording five saves.
Head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said he was pleased with the performance of his team, despite being displeased with the early start time.
“I felt we got stronger as the game went on,” Ingrassia said. “This is a quality win, and Utah is probably the best team to play us on this field.”
The team was ecstatic after Bullock’s game-winner and jumped all over their rookie starter. A relieved Bullock was proud of LBSU’s hard-fought victory.
“We didn’t take them lightly,” Bullock said. “We just pushed harder.”
Silos, the only other LBSU player besides Bullock to have a shot on a goal, felt the team was fully prepared to handle the Utes.
“I thought we did real well, coming in real tough,” Silos said. “We were ready for them.”
LBSU plays today at No. 22-ranked Wake Forest University, then faces No. 19-ranked Clemson University on Friday.
