Women?s Soccer Travels To The Golden State For A Pair Of Matches This Weekend

8/28: Bucknell at Loyola Marymount – Live Stats | Video
8/30: Bucknell at Long Beach State – Live Stats

LEWISBURG, Pa. – For the first time since the 2012 season, the Bucknell women's soccer team will travel to California for a pair of games this weekend. The two-game slate begins on Friday against Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. Eastern, concluding with Long Beach State on Sunday (Aug. 30) at 3 p.m. Eastern. Friday's match will broadcast for free on TheW.tv.

The Bison have gone unbeaten through its first two games of the 2015 season, picking up a 1-0 win over Towson and playing to a 1-1 tie at UMBC. Cora Climo netted the game-winning goal in the win, while Jessica Ratner earned Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week honors for her performance, allowing just one goal through 200 minutes of play. Sarah Bresette has recorded a goal this season, while Devan Schulte and Talia Szatkowski have both tallied an assist.

This weekend's trip may serve as a homecoming for both Lauren Dandie and Maddie Dano. The Bucknell defenders hail from Fullerton and Mission Viejo respectively.

Friday's contest will mark the first ever meeting between the two programs. Loyola Marymount opens up a five-match homestand, following a 0-2 start at the Penn State tournament on Aug. 21-23. The Lions lost an 2-0 decision to No. 24 Rutgers, followed by a 4-2 loss to No. 6 Penn State. Sarina Bolden and Jocelyn Blankenship each recorded a goal in the contest. Loyola Marymount went 9-8-2 and 2-6-1 in conference play a season ago. Blankenship was named to the All-WAC Preseason team.

Long Beach State comes into Sunday's contest following its match against Iowa State on Friday. The 49ers are 1-1 overall and coming off a 1-0 loss in double-overtime to Auburn on Aug. 23. The squad opened up the year with an impressive 1-0 victory over defending Pac-12 Champion No. 12 UCLA last Friday. Ashley Gonzales scored in the 67th minute for what was the game-winning goal. The 49ers finished 8-7-6 and 4-2-2 in conference play a season ago, earning a berth in the Big West tournament. Long Beach State returns Gonzales, Ashton McKeown and Mini Rangel, who all earned Preseason All-Conference team honors. This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.

Long Beach State Athletic Director Vic Cegles is a 1970 Bucknell graduate and was captain of the Bison baseball and basketball teams. He led the baseball team to a Middle Atlantic Conference title in 1969. Cegles hit .416 that season and earned All-MAC honors as a shortstop.

Following Sunday's contest, the Bison wrap up their four-game road trip on Sept. 4 at Mount St. Mary's. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Bucknell returns to Holmes Stadium on Sept. 6 when it hosts St. Francis (Pa.).