It’s a new season for coach Mauricio Ingrassia’s ladies and they got off to a fast start with a classic 4-0 beat down of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their home opener.  It was the proper way to start the season for the ‘Niners as they dominated every aspect of the game: out shooting the Bulldogs 22-2, and controlling possession of the ball like bullies on a playground.

“I thought we came out very strong,” said coach Ingrassia after the game. “We had a great attitude and I thought Gonzaga had a good first ten minutes and after that we were very strong.”

Incredible Hulk strong, to a gentle bulldog nibble.

Senior Hayley Bolt was her usual relentless self, dominating everything in the air, as did sophomore Lindsey Bullock. The two midfielders were key in keeping the ball upfield and away from the ‘Niners’ side. Senior and defensive anchor Sara Baca explained that the team’s transition defense was key.

“It makes our job a little bit easier,” Baca said. “Everybody is behind the ball, playing defense—and working together as a unit. We are very hard to beat. Nobody gets behind us, we got great headers, great speed, everything.”

“Everything” is right.

Sophomore forward Kristen Kiefer scored two goals in the first half for the ‘Niners, both times ricocheting balls inside the goalie box from Bolt header-assists. In fact, all four of the scores came off corner kicks for Long Beach State.  

“We have a lot of size on our team,” the speedster Kiefer said looking like she could play another 90 minutes. “And I think all our players have that attacking mindset and the hunger to score goals.”

Freshman defender Nicole Hubbard displayed her size and goal-appetite when she headed in a perfect corner from senior Kim Silos in the 55th minute of the match. Hubbard was obviously excited over her goal, showing her “freshman jitters” were long gone.

Other new faces added quality minutes for Long Beach State like prized-recruit Shawna Gordon and Oregon transfer Bo Rael. Gordon played major minutes at both midfield wing positions and looked comfortable with her teammates, executing flawless give-and-goes and not hesitating to take a shot from the outside. Rael stabilized the defense and neutralizing any Bulldog opportunities, making the day easy for ‘Niners goalkeeper Breanna Truelove who needed only one save.

Truelove started in place of Liz Ramos, who is the Long Beach State career leader in shutouts with 28.5. Ingrassia said the move was intuitive and Ramos is expected to be back at net this week.

Bolt, who was recruited with Ramos, was credited with the ‘Niners’ fourth goal, heading in a Mariko Strickland corner in the 77th minute, even though it looked like teammate Sahar Haghdan might have kicked it in for good measure. Haghdan was a pest for the Bulldogs showing off her dribbling skills and cool-composure to create opportunities with the ball at her feet.  

The goal might have been costly for the ‘Niners as redshirt sophomore and key player off the bench Nikki Myers went down with a left knee injury battling a Gonzaga defender for the ball. Pending x-rays will determine if Myers will be on the field with her teammates when they travel across the Pacific to Hawaii for two matches against the University of Hawaii and the University of Denver.

The bar is now set for Long Beach State’s women’s soccer team.