LONG BEACH, Calif. – Everything was clicking for the reigning Big West regular season champions right from the beginning. The Long Beach State 49ers started the game by touching net 76 seconds into the contest and capped their three-goal first half with a floating score with eight ticks left. The Stags could not get much offense going and fell by an eventual 4-0 score.
With a team returning eight starters from a squad that reached as high as 23rd in the national polls last season, it was that experienced group of Long Beach State (1-0-1) that gave Fairfield (0-2-0) trouble in this contest. Jessica Vincent opened the scoring by launching a shot from 12 yards out to the lower right corner after just 76 seconds. Last season's All-Big West Freshman Team selection Rocio Rodriguez followed her eight minutes later by receiving a cross into the box and after a touch finished in the right post.
The Stags started to settle down defensively, allowing only four 49er shots during a 27-minute span. During that time frame, the Stags also were able to create chances up front, taking four shots of their own and it seemed that they would take that confidence and momentum into the locker room. But Long Beach State delivered the back-breaking goal with just eight seconds left in the first half when Tori Bolden floated a desperation shot from the right wing that went over the head of Jenna Pike and hit the inside of the crossbar to give the home side an insurmountable 3-0 advantage.
Fairfield showed much more energy in the second frame, getting the first shot of the stanza. But Julia McGuire's attempt was easily picked up by the Big West Goalkeeper of the Year Ashton McKeown.
The energy and momentum did not last long as All-Big West First Team selection Ashley Gonzales took the first shot for the 49ers in the second half and was able to finish it inside the post to give the Big West team a 4-0 lead.
The Stags will now make the 3,000 mile trip back to their home state of Connecticut to play in the Yale Classic, starting with their first-ever meeting with crosstown rival Sacred Heart on Friday at 7pm.
