LONG BEACH, Calif. – A spectacular strike from freshman Natelle El Mokbel gave Long Beach State the lead for good in a 2-1 win over New Mexico State that saw the Beach play for nearly 80 minutes with 10 players after an early red card to Cherrie Cox.
Cox had a wild start to begin the game for Long Beach State (3-4-1). The junior scored her fourth goal of the year, turning the corner on the Aggie defense and slotting home the opening goal of the game in just the third minute of the contest. Just moments later, however, Cox was sent off on a straight red card in the 13th minute, shifting the game significantly.
New Mexico State (1-9-0) was able to capitalize on the man advantage, putting up four shots in the half and finally breaking through to tie the game in the 33rd minute. Playing in transition, the Aggies found Mya Gonzales, who lifted the ball over Aurora Schuck to even the score at 1-1.
At halftime, Long Beach State made key adjustments and controlled most of the second half, holding NM State to just two shots, both easily saved by Schuck, while freshman El Mokbel put the Beach back in front with her second game-winner of the season.
Playing an early corner short, El Mokbel dribbled to the corner of the penalty box and ripped a curler into the top corner past a diving Valerie Guha to give the Beach a 2-1 lead.
Long Beach State nearly grabbed another goal as a giveaway put Radisson Banks in alone on the keeper, but Guha responded with a key save to keep the Aggies’ hopes alive. The Beach ultimately finished with over 60% possession despite the man disadvantage throughout the contest, and held strong defensively to close out the win 2-1.
Long Beach State honored their two departing graduates as is the Beach Soccer tradition for the final non-conference home game, recognizing Logan Nidy and Amanda Perez pregame. The Beach will close their homestand with a rematch against Hawai’i to open Big West play on Thursday, September 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
