Oct. 30, 2005
Box Score
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Armando Melendez converted a penalty kick in the 29th minute, and Rob Flores made six saves to help Loyola Marymount to a 1-0 shutout in West Coast Conference men's soccer action this afternoon at Sullivan Field. The Pilots had several good opportunities late in the second half to tie the game, but Flores came up big for the Lions in the victory.
The game started slowly, with most of the action in the midfield. In the 29th minute, Nick Blanco sent a high service to Diego Souza who was waiting inside the Portland box. Before the ball could arrive, Souza was pulled down from behind by a Portland player and the referee signaled for a penalty kick.
It was the second PK attempt of the season for Melendez who converted the first one against SMU. Portland goalkeeper Luis Robles was able to get hand on the hard shot, but the velocity deflected the ball to the top of the net and the Lions took the 1-0 lead.
The Pilots nearly took the lead a minute later. Flores came out to grab a floating cross, but the ball got away from him. Sean Babcock's soft shot was saved off the goal line by Michael Ogletree.
Robles made an incredible point blank save at the start of the second half to keep it a one goal game. Jawaan Delaney flicked on Diego Souza's throw in to the feet of Blanco who was right in front of the goal. His blast was smothered by Robles, who nearly fell into the goal with the force of the shot.
Things got very interesting in the final 10 minutes of the contest. In the 84th minute, Michael Gavin hit a low hard shot from 15 yards out that Flores stopped, but could not control. The rebound found Michael Dallman right in front of the goal. Dallman took a hard shot, but Flores was there to make the point blank save.
In the 86th minute, Portland's Alex Elliott found himself on a breakaway with only Flores between him and the goal. Flores challenged and blocked Elliott's shot to preserve the shutout and victory.
The game was very even on the score sheet, with LMU outshooting Portland by a slim 18-16 margin. Both team took seven shots on goal. Blanco led all players with three shots on goal, and four shots overall. Patrick Mooney led Portland with four shots. Flores and Robles each finished with six saves in goal.
The Lions now sit in second place in the WCC, pending the result of the Saint Mary's vs. San Francisco game on Sunday night. They return to action next Friday, facing the Dons in San Francisco at 7:00pm.
Portland (4-9-2, 2-6-1) vs. Loyola Marymount (6-6-4, 4-3-1)
Date: Oct 30, 2005 Attendance: 385
Weather: windy, upper 60s
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Portland............ 0 0 - 0
Loyola Marymount.... 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 28:18 LMU Melendez, Armando Penalty kick
Shots: Portland 16, Loyola Marymount 18
Saves: Portland 6 (ROBLES, Luis 6), Loyola Marymount 7 (Flores, Robert 6; TEAM 1)
- GO LIONS! -
