April 15, 2004
Los Angeles, CA (April 14, 2004) - The Loyola Marymount University women's soccer team continued its spring season with an impressive 2-0 win over the China U-19 Women's National Team. Junior Kristen Frawley and senior Shari Nishikawa led the Lions with a goal each.
It was the second time this spring that LMU has faced off against a U-19 National team, dropping a 3-0 decision to the U.S. U-19's earlier this spring.
The Lions wasted no time in putting the team from China under pressure as they forced Weng Xiaojie into several good saves, including a world class stop on a Kelly Lewandowski effort that seemed destined for the far right side of the goal. Xiaojie also turned away credible efforts from a trio of Lions, including Kellie Schroeder, Lori Sims, and Whitney Temple.
Frawley tallied the first Lion goal at the 63:45 mark with a sharp 18-yard drive from the top of the penalty area that beat the keeper to her left. Frawley's effort was made possible after a surging run by Lewandowski forced a meager clearance from the China defense.
Nishikawa, an All-WCC selection in 2003 who has continued to train with the Lions this spring with hopes of playing professionally overseas this summer, then provided the insurance goal with less than 7 minutes to play as she drilled home a loose ball from the left side of the 18-yard box.
The Lion defense came up with an excellent second half as China applied a good amount of pressure in the second stanza, especially right after the Lions first goal. Defenders Sara Aldama, Kylie Beren, Jennifer Horn and Jessica Hanson all turned in solid performances in front of Kelly Yukihiro, who earned the shutout in goal for the Lions.
"This was a good test against a high level opponent," said Head Coach Gregg Murphy. "I'm proud of the effort our team showed today against a very technical and organized team. Today provided some excellent learning opportunities, and there were a lot of positives for us to take away from the match. Now we have to take these lessons and apply them to our continuing preparations for the 2004 season."
- GO LIONS -
