Long Beach State women’s soccer dominated the proceedings on Sunday evening at George Allen Field in a 1-0 victory over San Diego State. Senior midfielder Dana Fujikuni netted the game-winner from the top of the penalty box in the 64th minute.
NCAA Soccer: Long Beach State vs. San Diego State
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LBSU (3-1-0) outshot SDSU 21-6 while enjoying the lion’s share of possession and earning 11 corner kicks.
“We created throughout the entire game, we just have to get a little sharper in front of net,” LBSU coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “How they pressure you dictates how we are going to build, and it was a different type of build up for us than the last three games. We were able to have our backs further up the field.”
SDSU (1-2-0) sat back and absorbed the early LBSU pressure, but Ingrassia changed the pace around the 20th minute with wholesale changes up top. Substitute forwards Nadiyah Siqueiros, Kayla Cannon, Elysia Laramie and Sierra Castles were able to keep the pressure on by attack from wide positions.
“We have good depth, it’s a Sunday game, legs are little heavy and the field is a little heavy,” Ingrassia said. “So, our associate head coach Jeff Joyner gave those kids a game plan. They went out there and didn’t miss a beat. In fact, I thought the game picked up a little bit.”
LBSU outshot SDSU 13-2 in the first half, and kept the pressure on in the second half when Ingrassia brought some of the starters back onto the field. Forwards Ashley Gonzales and Siqueiros both had header go off of the crossbar. Gonzales, Siqueiros and Laramie all had a pair of shots. Katie Pingel and Fujikuni led LBSU with four shots each, and they combined on the goal.
Just after the hour mark, Fujukini and Pingel connected in the middle of SDSU territory. Pingel gave it back to Fujikini with her back to goal at the top of the penalty box. The senior shook two defenders and buried her shot into the top shelf on the near side.
“Usually I’m the player who lays the ball off,” Fujikuni said. “But I saw the goalkeeper was a little bit out so I was like ‘you know what, let’s take it’. We had so many chances, we were down there all game, so I knew we would get one eventually. I wasn’t even worried.”
It is the first goal of the season for Fujikuni, and fourth at LBSU. She transferred from UC Davis after her freshman year.
“She was player of the match tonight,” Ingrassia said of Fujikuni. “She’s been very steady and consistent for us. Taylor Bistline is doing a great job holding in the midfield, and that’s allowed (Fujikuni) to get up and down and be a little more creative.”
LBSU goalkeeper Imani McDonald injured her foot during the win over Northeastern on Friday night, so redshirt freshman goalkeeper Ashley Seymour made four saves in her first win and shutout.
“I just went in with the mentality that this is my game,” Seymour said. “(McDonald) is the biggest inspiration to me. She’s the one I look up to. She’s always got my back, and she was screaming on the sideline for me. I admire the way she talks to the defense, and I try to do that as well.”
LBSU travels to Texas on Thursday, and will host Auburn on Sunday.
