Women's Soccer Tops Long Beach State 4-2 On Penalty Kicks

Friday, November 4

Fullerton, CA

UC Riverside

Long Beach State

Women's Soccer Tops Long Beach State 4-2 On Penalty Kicks

11/4/2005 4:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer

UC Riverside 0, Cal State Fullerton 0 (4-2 PKs) - Box Score

Fullerton, CA—Second-seeded UC Riverside advanced to its first-ever Big West Tournament final, beating third-seed Long Beach State 4-2 on penalty kicks Friday evening after a goalless 110 minutes in the Big West Conference Tournament semifinals at Titan Stadium in Fullerton. The Highlanders made all four of their penalty attempts to move on with a record of 11-3-5, while the 49ers end their season 12-5-3.

After regulation and both overtimes did not produce a goal, the teams lined up for the penalty shootout. LBSU's Hayley Bolt's opening attempt was saved by UCR junior goalkeeper Tawny Poggio. Junior midfielder Linda Allen put UCR ahead 1-0 with a well-placed shot into the upper right corner. UCR extended its lead to 2-0 after Tiffany Vaught's shot was wide and senior midfielder Renee Scachetti converted. Kim Silos brought LBSU back to 2-1 but junior defender Amber Plumlee blasted down the middle to make it 3-1. Emily Empting converted the next kick for the 49ers, setting the stage for freshman midfielder Melina Triantos. Triantos' low shot beat 49er goalie Liz Ramos to send UCR to the final.

The teams failed to produce a goal in 220 minutes this season and in the last 330 minutes after double overtime goalless draws last Friday and in 2003. In fact, UCR has held LBSU scoreless even longer, dating back to 2002.

Despite the lack of scoring, both teams had plenty of attempts. Long Beach State had the first opportunity of the match 12 minutes in, as Poggio tipped over Silos' long-range attempt.

UCR had a pair of chances in the 16th minute but could not convert. Sophomore forward Jenna Leonti got a step past the 49er defense but her first-time shot was turned away for a corner by Ramos. On the ensuing play, Plumlee was wide open at the penalty spot but could not connect on her shot attempt.

LBSU had a similar pair of attempts themselves in the 33rd minute. Having won a free kick outside the Highlander penalty area, the 49ers ran a well-worked set play in which Bolt had her point-blank shot saved by Poggio and the follow-up by Sara Baca was charged down by the UCR defense.

Having been outshot 8-2 in the first half, UCR picked it up in the second 45 minutes. Two minutes into the second half, Leonti glanced a wide-open header over the bar. Ten minutes later, senior midfielder Angela Reling shot straight at Ramos. The Highlanders had two break-away opportunities in the final 16 minutes. In the 74th minute, substitute freshman forward Loana Holness broke through the 49er defense and had a one-on-one with Ramos. Holness' final touch led her too far and Ramos corralled the ball. With ten minutes left, substitute freshman Katie Sheldon also had a one-on-one but her shot trickled wide.

In the final minute of regulation, the 49ers had one final chance but Natalie Messina's header went wide.

LBSU had a one-on-one of its own in the second overtime when Silos broke through but Poggio came off her line to save.

Poggio finished with five saves in her seventh shutout of the year and 22nd of her career. Ramos stopped three shots and ends the year with 10.5 shutouts.

The Highlanders extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, tying the longest such streak in school history. With the game going in the books as a tie, UCR sets a new record with five ties in a season.

Riverside is one victory away from its first appearance in the NCAA Championships. The Highlanders play Sunday at 1 p.m. against top-seed and tournament hosts Cal State Fullerton, who beat Pacific 1-0 in the second semifinal Friday.