By snoadmin
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Long Beach State had its four-match win streak snapped Sunday afternoon, as neither the 49ers nor Cal Poly could score a goal in a 0-0 tie on the Cal Poly campus.
With the draw, LBSU (11-2-1) stayed in first place in the Big West, but holds just a one point lead over rival Cal State Fullerton, which has a game in hand on the 49ers.
The tie Sunday and the 1-0 win over UC Santa Barbara Friday, were enough for LBSU to crack Soccer America’s top-25 for the first time this season. The leading soccer magazine in the country ranked the 49ers as the No. 23 team in the nation.
LBSU was ranked in the top-30 by SoccerBuzz.com, but fell out of the rankings two weeks ago.
“If you told me we would have zero goals against Santa Barbara and Cal Poly this week I would not believe you,” said LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia. “We had chances to win today, but a tie is a good result.”
The 49ers came within inches of scoring twice in the match.
In the 19th minute, Kim Silos had a free kick from 25 yards out, but her shot went directly into the Cal Poly wall. But, Hayley Bolt recovered the rebound and her shot bounced off the post and Sahar Hagden’s follow-up shot was saved by the Cal Poly keeper.
Then in the 57th minute, Dana Farquhar received a pass from Silos and hit the crossbar.
Late in the match Cal Poly also had multiple opportunities to break the scoreless tie.
In the 67th minute, Heidi McQuity hit the crossbar off a 25-yard free kick. In the 80th minute, Kelsey Carroll hit the post and in overtime, Cal Poly put the ball past the goal line but it was disallowed because of a foul.
Lastly, in the final seconds of the first overtime period, the Mustangs leading goal scorer Ashley Vallis shot a bullet from just outside the penalty box, which forced Liz Ramos to make a diving save.
“I think we played very well and were a little unlucky not to score. But [LBSU] is a very good team and a tie is a fair result,” said Cal Poly head coach Alex Crozier.
The LBSU defense continues to play well. In 14 matches this season LBSU has allowed just six goals.
Tiffany Vaught played well in both matches this weekend and has seen her minutes on the field increase in the last couple weeks.
“We have a lot of good players playing defense,” Vaught said. “I think I’m getting more playing time because Mauricio is gaining confidence in me.”
Sara Baca stuck out on the field Friday, playing as a midfielder and as a defender.
“I’ve been playing both positions my whole life so I feel comfortable in either spots,” Baca said.
With her two shutouts this weekend, Liz Ramos was named Big West co-Player of the Week. Ramos has 9.5 shutouts on the season and has a goals against average of 0.37.
Starting with Fresno State Wednesday, the 49ers have three of their final five matches at home to finish off the regular season.
The 49ers have given themselves the nickname “The Road Warriors” this season. LBSU has played 11 of its first 14 matches on the road and has compiled an 8-2-1 record away from George Allen Field.
