The women’s soccer schedule clearly stated that yesterday’s game was a “scrimmage.” Head Coach Mauricio Ingrassia managed his team like it was a scrimmage (playing nearly 20 players), but Hayley Bolt and an impressive crowd seemed to have not received the memo.

Bolt played all but a couple minutes in the game (which was cut into four quarters instead of two halves) and netted both ‘Niners goals in their 2-1 win over San Diego State last night. Bolt, a clear fan-favorite, is one of the seniors on the squad from Ingrassia’s prized 2005 recruiting class.

George Allen field was near capacity with packed stands and lawn-chair mania, full of youth soccer teams and parents, streaming along the sideline.

And ‘Niners fans were treated to a nice sneak-peak of what to expect from this Long Beach State squad, which has won the past two regular season Big West titles and was chosen to finish second this year by Big West coaches.

As for the game, SDSU took a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the game when Cat Walker took a perfect through- header from Heather Vandervanter just behind the ‘Niner defense and tapped it for the goal.

“The first half was a little shaky,” Bolt said, explaining the ‘Niners were a little fatigued having endured two-a-days for two weeks straight. “But I liked coming back from behind. I’d actually rather have it like that because it trains us mentally and forces us to gain confidence through the game.”

SDSU couldn’t handle Bolt, who displayed why she was Big West Freshman of the Year in 2005 and is a two-time first team All- Big West selection. In the 74th minute Bolt bent in a pretty right-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box for the equalizer. Eleven minutes later she put the ‘Niners ahead for good with a one time shot from All-Big West teammate Kim Silos as she sifted through the Aztec defense. The play was the result of back-to-back-to-back corner kicks from Long Beach State.

“I think we found a rhythm,” Ingrassia said of his team’s dominant second half performance.

Comparing the team’s rhythm the first and second half would be like comparing the rhythmic talent of Shakira to Napoleon Dynamite. While the ‘Niners showed flashes of on-point passes and communication in the first half, they still had trouble pushing the ball up the field. They often found themselves bunching up rather than spreading the field like they did in the later in the game.

Long Beach State finished with 13 shots on goal to the Aztecs’ seven. The ‘Niners also had 10 corner kicks (SDSU only had one).

Senior Mariko Strickland had a good match at the midfielder position, dishing off precise passes along the width of the fields. Usually on the other end of those passes was sophomore sensation Kristen Kiefer, who displayed her speed wearing out a solid Aztec defense. Kiefer had the assist on Bolt’s first goal.

“I felt really good,” Bolt explained of her performance. “But I feel like as a whole, everyone was supporting each other and opening up for each other. I think that it radiates, when one person starts working super hard and makes a game-changing play, then everyone kind of comes together. And I think especially since there are 11 seniors out there, there is experience and leadership.”

For Ingrassia the scrimmage was not so much about getting the “W” but finding playing time for his players. The Niner’s roster currently consists of 27 players, seven of them new to the team. And based on what was shown on Saturday, the team’s depth will not only be a problem for opponents but for coach to draw up a steady line-up. It’s a challenge he welcomes.

Ingrassia said he expects the squad to build on their second half performance for the team’s season/home opener Friday August 22nd versus Gonzaga.

Bolt agreed.

“I think coming back showed a lot of character,” she said. “Our coach kind of touched on it a little bit, that our win definitely had to do with attitude. And it’s a great start to the season.”