Oct. 29, 2002
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Just Briefly
Loyola Marymount suffered two tough losses over the weekend on controversial calls. The Lions fell 2-1 to San Diego with the Toreros' game-winning goal coming on a questionable hand ball call late in the game. Sunday's game against the 4th-ranked Santa Clara Broncos was not much better for LMU. The Lions saw a diving, overhead save by goalkeeper Kelly Yukihiro nullified and called a goal. The line judge ruled the ball had crossed the plane of the goal, giving the SCU the eventual one goal win.
Up Next
LMU heads to the Bay Area to continue West Coast Conference action against the University of San Francisco. The Lions' only game of the week is a match-up with the Lady Dons on Sunday, Nov. 3. That game is scheduled for 1 p.m. start as LMU looks for its third WCC victory.
Controversy Plagues The Lions
The Lions were short changed out of a couple of wins (San Diego, Santa Clara) on two highly controversial calls. Loyola Marymount had a chance at coming out of last weekend with, at worst, a tie for the lead in the West Coast Conference with Santa Clara. Instead, the Lions suffered two heartbreaking losses at the hands of the officials. A questionable hand ball in the box call against LMU in Sunday's game against USD started the weekend off on the wrong foot, or hand. The penalty kick goal for the Toreros ended up as the eventual difference in the game. Unfortunately for the Lions, Sunday's game against the 4th-ranked SCU Broncos continued the controversial spin to the weekend. A diving, overhead save by Lion keeper Kelly Yukihiro was nullified and called a goal by the line judge who claimed the ball crossed the plane of the goal. The score was the only one of the day as Yukihiro made five saves in the eventual 1-0 loss for the Lions.
Freshmen Shine
Freshman Kellie Schroeder has given the Lions an offense boost with two goals against No. 18 USC and the game-winner against UC Irvine and Gonzaga. Schroeder is part of the Lion recruiting class that was ranked as the seventh best incoming class by Soccer Buzz magazine. The Albuquerque, N.M. native leads the team with 10 points so far this season. Fellow freshman Kelly Lewandowski is second on the squad with nine points and four goals, while Lewandowski leads the squad with 17 shots on goal. LMU freshmen have combined for 28 of the team's 58 points.
Nishikawa Cracks The Record Book
Junior Shari Nishikawa's is inching closer and closer to a spot in LMU history. The five assists she has already picked up this year gives her a total of eight career assists, which launches her into the top-10 on the all-time chart at LMU. Nishikawa is currently eighth on the career assists list tied with former Lion Bree McCann (1996-99). Nishikawa's team leading five assists this year is also among the best in the WCC. She is just four assists shy from claiming the top spot in the single-season record book. The current record is eight set by Cindy Carullo (1993-96) in 1993 and then matched by Jessica Lyon (1995-98) in 1997.
Extra Time...Again
The Lions have played in five overtime matches so far this season. LMU is not phased by the extra time, if anything the extra minutes and sudden victory atmosphere just feeds the Lions frenzy. The Lions have not lost an overtime game this season, scoring two goals and owning a 3-0-2 record when playing the extra stanzas.
Defense Stands Strong
The Lions defense continues to be one of the best in the WCC and nationally. LMU currently ranks fourth in the WCC and 18th in the NCAA (as of Oct. 20) in goals against average (0.78) and has allowed the third fewest goals (14) of any WCC member. Lion goalkeepers Elizabeth Skhal and Kelly Yukihiro have combined for eight shutouts this season, three behind Portland for the league lead.
Weekend Review
vs San Diego 10/25/02
For the fourth consecutive year, LMU fell to Portland by one goal, this time by a score of 1-0 at Harry A. Merlo Field in Portland on Friday afternoon. The second-ranked Pilots outshot the Lions 20 to 2, putting endless pressure on sophomore goalie Kelly Yukihiro. Portland's Erin Misaki scored at the 28:06 mark of the first half on an assist by Lindsey Huie for the only tally of the afternoon. The Lions had their three-game unbeaten streak snapped. The Lions have played the Pilots tough the last four seasons but are still looking for their first win ever in Portland. In addition to this year's one-goal decision, it continues a trend that began in 1999 with a 2-1 loss at Sullivan Field. The Lions fell to the Pilots 1-0 in 2000 and then another 2-1 margin in 2001. Yukihiro kept the Lions within striking distance, recording five saves on the day.
vs No.4 Santa Clara 10/27/02
The Lions earned a 1-0 victory over Gonzaga last Sunday afternoon at Martin Field. Gonzaga and LMU fought to a 0-0 first-half tie as the match remained scoreless for much of the second half. LMU freshman forward Kellie Schroeder came off the bench to give the Lions the game-winning goal at 64:16 on a short cross from fellow freshman Lori Sims. The Lions outshot the Bulldogs 13-2 as Bulldog goalkeeper Ashley Haugen picked up six saves while Lion goalkeeper Kelly Yukihiro tallied one. Yukihiro notched the win and her fifth shutout of the year.
LMU Head Coach
Gregg Murphy is in his seventh year at the helm of the LMU women's soccer program. Under Murphy the Lions have enjoyed unprecedented success, posting winning seasons in all but two of his years in Westchester. Murphy's record at LMU now stands at 69-49-10, while his career coaching record, which spans eleven seasons, stands at 127-101-14. An outstanding recruiter, Murphy's 2002 class was ranked seventh best in the West Region by SoccerBuzz. Murphy is a 1986 graduate of Chapman University.
The Dirt On The Lady Dons
San Francisco welcomes Loyola Marymount with an 8-7-1 overall record and a 1-4-0 mark during West Coast Conference contests. The Lady Dons recently ended a six-game losing skid, three of which were against WCC schools, with a 2-1 win over Gonzaga. The victory is USF's only WCC win of the year so far. Caty Harris leads the Lady Dons with four goals and 11 points on the season. Harris picked up a goal and an assist in USF's win over the Bulldogs. The Lions seem to have the upper hand on the Lady Dons of late. LMU is a perfect 4-0 the last four years against USF. Sunday's game will give one school the advantage in the series record as it currently stands all tied up at 4-4-1.
