By snoadmin
Sweating in frustration and exhaustion, LBSU could only watch CS Fullerton celebrate on George Allen Field on Friday afternoon. The ball did not bounce in the 49ers favor – literally.
The Titans squeezed past LBSU 1-0 and jumped into a tie in points (nine) in the Big West Conference standings. LBSU (10-5, 3-1) battled CSF (8-6-1, 3-2) all over the field throughout the first half as stifling defense kept the game scoreless at halftime. However, five fouls and several turnovers by the 49ers in the second half led to many aggressive drives by the Titans. The most devastating drive was the only score of the game, as a throw-in to a CSF defender was kicked off an LBSU player and gave CSF a one-goal lead.
As time ticked away in the second half, the 49ers created but squandered several opportunities to score, as kicks by junior midfielders Hayley Bolt and Kim Silos either soared over the goal post or were deflected off several Titan players and out of bounds.
LBSU’s last drive during the final 40 seconds of the game essentially defined the way the tempo went, as a pass by junior forward Sahar Haghdan bounced off the right shoulder of freshman midfielder Kristen Kiefer and into the possession of the Titans, ending the 49ers’ chances. Kiefer, playing her first conference game after sitting out with an ankle injury, came off the bench and played 47 minutes.
The 49ers had more shots than CSF (LBSU had 13, CSF had eight), but eight total fouls kept LBSU out of rhythm throughout the game. As for the goal for the Titans, junior goalkeeper Liz Ramos said she “just didn’t react fast enough.”
“Two hitters pulled us out too far, and we lost the girl that was standing in front of me,” Ramos said.
Head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said he was more concerned about the team’s ball control.
“We didn’t take care of the ball,” Ingrassia said. “We didn’t take care of opportunities. Credit Fullerton for being organized. They did a good job off their half-chances.”
A distraught Kiefer said the team stepped up at the end of the game, but still needs to play better.
“We just have to show up Sunday and show [UCR] who we are,” Kiefer said.
LBSU suffered its first conference loss and third consecutive to a Big West opponent on George Allen Field. The last two losses were to Cal Poly (2-1 in double-overtime) in the first round of the Big West Tournament and to LBSU’s next opponent, UCR (3-0).
The Highlanders are coming off a head-scratching 2-0 loss at home to Cal State Northridge, but remain in contention to lead the Big West standings. LBSU will look to take soul control of the conference once more on Sunday.
