STANFORD, Calif. – Long Beach State jumped out to a big lead early and welcomed the return of Gabi Acosta, as the two-time defending Big West Player of the Year had five goals as the Beach rolled to a 16-9 win over UC Santa Barbara.
Long Beach State (7-1) had gotten off to a great start to the season without Gabi Acosta, but got a big lift from the return of the big man who dominated the action with five goals on the night for Long Beach State against UC Santa Barbara (11-6).
The Beach got off to a quick start, taking advantage of a first-possesion power play for a 1-0 lead after a goal by Oliver Sudar, and then goals from Marc Frigola and Acosta pushed the lead to 3-0 before the Gauchos got on the board.
Leading 4-2 after the first quarter, the Beach scored the only three goals of the second quarter, with Sudar, Frigola and Acosta again finding the net as the Beach took a 7-2 lead. A busy third saw more offense with both teams scoring five goals.
Corbin Stanley opened the fourth quarter with a goal, making the score 13-7 and the Beach cruised the rest of the way to a 16-9 win. William Whitstone made eight saves in goal for Long Beach State.
With the win, Long Beach State will face the hosts, No. 3 Stanford in the second game, the first of two on Saturday. That match is scheduled for 12:20 p.m.
