After the first game of the Big West conference schedule, the Long Beach State women’s soccer team finds itself in a very unfamiliar place: last.

The 49ers dropped their conference opener at home yesterday, losing 1-0 to the visiting Pacific Tigers.  Freshman midfielder Maricela Padilla scored the game’s only goal in the 19^th minute, a sliding attempt from 18 yards out.   Long Beach keeper Emily Kingsborough seemed to have mistimed her jump in the save attempt, and the ball bounced off the top of her outstretched fingers and fell into the goal behind her.

“That happens to every keeper from time to time,” said Long Beach head coach Mauricio Ingrassia – although he replaced Kingsborough at halftime with Nicoline Jorgensen.  “Seems like every time we make a mistake, we pay for it.”

The loss was a frustrating one for the 49ers, who had their fair share of chances to score.  In fact, Long Beach controlled possession for most of the contest, and the ball stayed in Pacific territory as the 49ers pressed hard to score.  But they struggled to make the most of their chances, a sign of inexperience from the very talented but very young team – especially considering the loss of junior midfielder Karina Camacho, who is nursing an injury.

“We’re still searching for that offensive spark,” Ingrassia said.  “Our opportunities were on set pieces and throw-ins, and you can’t count on those every game.”

The 49ers scrambled for shots in the final twenty minutes, sensing time dwindling on their opportunities.  Long Beach was awarded a half-dozen corner kicks during that time, and several additional opportunities in the Pacific box – all to no avail, and the pressure to score was showing in the team.

“We have to get one, yellow, come on!” yelled sophomore midfielder Shawn Gordon, who orchestrated many of the attacks and kicked nearly every corner. Crosses and lobs into the Pacific box were well-placed, but errant headers and hesitation from attackers kept Long Beach from taking advantage.

But it was no use, as Pacific keeper Jill Medigovich registered six saves and shutout the normally potent 49er offense.  Long Beach falls to 0-1 in the Big West and 4-6 overall.  Pacific now stands at 1-0 in the Big West , and 7-3-2 overall.