Los Angeles, Calif. - Freshman midfielder Laura Trask helped the Loyola Marymount women's soccer team begin West Coast Conference play on the right foot Friday, scoring the "golden goal" at the 109:23 mark to give the Lions a 3-2 overtime victory against San Diego at Sullivan Field.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in the second sudden-death period, Trask fielded a pass from sophomore Elly Colvin near midfield. The El Cajon, Calif., native then dribbled past a trio of Torrero defenders and fired a shot from 20 yards out, which sailed past USD freshman Keeper Libby Bassett. It was the first goal of Trask's collegiate career, while the assist by Colvin was her first point in a Lion uniform.
LMU drew first blood in the opening minute of play when sophomore forward Jill Dobens stole the ball from a San Diego player and connected on a hard shot from the top of the goalie box at the 49 second mark. Junior forward Erica Florez then increased the Lion lead to 2-0 in the 14th minute when she collected a short left cross from Dobens and tucked the ball inside the right post. Both Dobens and Florez scored their second goals of the season on Friday.
However the LMU celebration was short-lived as San Diego junior forward Stephanie Barnier beat the outstretched arm of Lion senior keeper Tracy Sharp at the 17:15 mark. Freshman Katie Allen assisted on the play. After more than 65 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Torrero duo teamed up again at the 74:21 mark when Allen connected with Barnier who scored her WCC-leading 12th goal of the season to even the score at two.
Loyola Marymount nearly ended the game just before the end of regulation, however senior forward Angela Ichinose's hard shot sailed just above the top-right corner of the USD goal. In overtime the Lion defense clamped down, not allowing a single San Diego shot before Trask's heroics in the 109th minute.
With the win LMU improved to 8-4-1 overall and 1-0-0 in WCC action. The Lions are undefeated in four overtime games this season, while all eight of their victories in 2000 have been decided by a single goal. Meanwhile the Torreros fell to 9-5-0 and 2-1-0 in the conference.
Loyola Marymount looks to win its third game in a row this Sunday, Oct. 15 as WCC foe San Francisco visits Sullivan Field for a 12:00 p.m. showdown.
