Freshman Mimi Rangel and sophomore Kaci McCain tag teamed to produce the key plays in Long Beach State's 1-0 triumph over No. 11 BYU, earning the 49er duo Big West Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Rangel Strikes For Game-Winner Against Cougars

Long Beach State freshman Mimi Rangel (Chino, Calif./Chino Hills HS) garnered Big West Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors as she notched the game's only goal in a 1-0 victory against No. 11 BYU.

Rangel led the 49ers to their second win over a ranked opponent this season as she struck in the 14th minute.  Lining up a free kick in the center and just outside of the 18-yard box, the midfielder chipped a perfect shot over a five-person Cougar wall and curled it to the right past the outstretched BYU goalkeeper.

It was Rangel's second game-winning goal against a ranked foe, adding to her 90th minute strike at No. 23 Texas Tech in a 3-2 win.  She now leads the 49ers with nine points and owns a team-high tying three goals.

Others nominated:  Erica Mazeau (Cal State Fullerton); Tiana Fujimoto (Hawai‘i)


McCain Saves The Day in Upset of No. 11 BYU

The goalkeeping heroics of Kaci McCain (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) allowed an early goal to stand up in Long Beach State's 1-0 victory against No. 11 BYU, as the sophomore captured Big West Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honors.

McCain made three saves against a normally potent Cougar offense, but none more dramatic than her stop in the 87th minute.  McCain dived to her right to thwart a point-blank shot from the middle of the box and preserve her second shutout of the season.

The netminder improved to 5-1 on the season and trimmed her goals against average to 0.83.

BYU represents the 11th ranked opponent Long Beach State has beaten dating back to the 2009 season.  The 49ers have toppled at least one top-25 foe in five consecutive seasons.

Others nominated: Lindsey Maricic (Cal State Fullerton)