The Long Beach State women’s soccer team put forth a valiant effort at No. 2 UCLA on Friday night, but suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the waning moments of the season opener. Hailie Mace scored the game-winning goal for UCLA with two seconds left in regulation to break a scoreless tie at the new Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles.
LBSU senior Ashley Gonzales, who is back from a knee injury she suffered last year against UCLA, forced a diving save from Bruins goalkeeper Teagan Micah in the 22nd minute on a counter attack. Gonzales found freshman Elysia Laramie behind the UCLA defense in the 52nd minute, but Micah came off of her line for the stop.
LBSU goalkeeper Imani McDonald made seven saves, all in the second half.
On Sunday, LBSU will host SMU at George Allen Field (12 p.m.) in the home opener.
