Aug. 9, 2004

Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 9) - The best way to describe the 2004 schedule for the Loyola Marymount University men's soccer program is in one word - loaded. Over the last three years the Lions have become one of the top programs in the country, and their schedule will once again reflect that, as they will have seven games against opponents who finished the 2003 campaign ranked in the top-20. In 2003 the Lions finished the season 12-7-1, playing seven teams ranked in the top-20, going 4-3 in those games. With the success of last season, the Lions earned their third straight trip to the NCAA College Cup and a first-round bye. The Lions will once again take on the best as they look to challenge for the West Coast Conference championship and fourth straight trip to the NCAAs. The Lions return 21 players from last year, including 8 starters. The 2004 season will start with a trip to the Creighton University Tournament in Omaha, Neb., on Sept. 3-5. The Lions will open with Southwest Missouri State on Friday and then take on Creighton on Sunday in the featured match of the tournament. The Bluejays finished the 2003 season ranked 8th in the nation. The two teams went head-to-head last season as the Lions earned a 2-1 double overtime win over the then seventh-ranked Bluejays. LMU will head off to their second straight tournament, this time up the road at Cal State Northridge. The Lions will take on New Mexico on Friday, Sept. 10 and then American University on Sept. 12. After four straight away from home, the Lions will take on UCLA in a featured match at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Lions will serve as the host of the Bruins, who finished the 2003 season ranked fifth nationally. In what has become a fierce rivalry, the two teams have split the last two regular season meetings and have met in the NCAA College Cup in two of the last three years. After the Bruins, LMU returns to Sullivan Field for their traditional home opener against Air Force on Sept. 22. They will continue a four-game home stand with UC Riverside on Sept. 26 and then open WCC play with Gonzaga and Portland on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, respectively. Following a trip to San Francisco (Oct. 8) and Saint Mary's (Oct. 10), the Lions will travel for a non-conference game against Wake Forest. The Deacons finished the 2003 season ranked 15th. Following the trip to Wake, the Lions return to the WCC and Sullivan Field to host Santa Clara, a final four participant in 2003. LMU will then take on San Diego on the road on Oct. 22 and two days later take the Toreros on at home. The WCC changed format for the 2004 season as the teams will play each other in a home-and-home series. The Lions make return trips to Gonzaga and Portland on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31. The schedule will conclude with San Francisco (Nov. 5) and Saint Mary's (Nov. 7) at home and then Santa Clara (Nov. 12) on the road. For tickets, call (310) 338-LION. For the complete schedule go to: Schedule - GO LIONS -