Senior midfielder Shawna Gordon connected on a penalty kick with just under one minute into the first overtime period to give the Long Beach State women’s soccer team a dramatic 2-1 victory over UC Santa Barbara in both squads’ Big West Conference opener Friday evening at Harder Stadium.
Just 59 seconds into the first extra period, Wilson sent a corner kick into the box where the Gauchos were called for a hand ball. Gordon then converted on the ensuing penalty kick to give the 49ers the victory.
LBSU improved to 8-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in Big West action, while UCSB fell to 5-6-2, 0-1-0 Big West.
In addition to Gordon’s game-winning goal, senior defender Nicole Hubbard also found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season. Hubbard has now scored in each of LBSU’s last three matches.
Both Gordon and Hubbard also moved into a tie for ninth on the LBSU all-time charts with their 15th career goals. Junior Nadia Link had an assist in the win.
Long Beach got on the board at the 21:22 mark when Link drove into the box and found Hubbard on the right wing. Hubbard then sent a shot to the far post to give the ‘Niners an early 1-0 lead.
LBSU came very close to adding two more in the first half as it out-shot UCSB, 8-0. In the 33rd minute, Hubbard gave a lead pass to Link, who was one-on-one with oncoming goalkeeper Makenna Henry, but Link’s attempt sailed just wide. Henry also made a timely save on a header by Hubbard off a corner kick from Kelsey Wilson with 7:30 left in the period.
The Gauchos eventually tied it up on their first shot of the game as they struck in the 57th minute. Katy Roby’s corner kick made its way into a crowd of players in the middle of the box, but it was Kelly McGrath who got her head on the ball, sending it to the lower right netting to even up the contest, 1-1.
Link nearly put away the game-winner in the 81st minute when she created an open look for herself at the top right corner of the box, but her attempt was saved by Henry. The 49ers continued to put the pressure on the Gaucho defense as they held a 13-to-3 advantage in shot attempts at the end of regulation.
LBSU held a commanding 14-to-3 advantage in shots with Hubbard leading the way with six attempts.
LBSU will continue Big West play on the road against Cal Poly on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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