Oct. 7, 2005
Box Score
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - San Francisco defender Rob Valentino headed in a free kick from Cameron Kolovos with 12 seconds remaining in the game to give the Dons a 1-0 win over Loyola Marymount in WCC men's soccer action this afternoon at Sullivan Field. Minutes earlier the Lions had a prime opportunity to take a lead, but Junior Ybarra's penalty kick was saved by USF goalkeeper Geremy Uhl. The Lions fall to 3-4-2 on the season, and 1-2 in WCC action. USF evens its conference record at 1-1 is now 5-3-1 on the year.
The Lions controlled the first half of play, outshooting USF 6-3, but neither team could get on the board. Armando Melendez had a good look early in the first half, but Uhl punched the ball out of the air.
In the second half, things heated up. The Dons and Lions shared possession throughout the second half, with LMU taking a slight advantage in shots, 8-7. The last 10 minutes of the game were thrilling to fans of both teams. With under seven minutes remaining, an LMU player was pulled down in the box which drew a penalty kick.
Ybarra lined up to take the kick with 6:58 remaining on the clock, and took a shot to the left of the goal. Uhl made a diving save for the stop which seemed to give the Dons the momentum. Moments later, LMU defender Matthew Mejia had a breakaway down the left side of the field. Uhl charged the ball, but Mejia was able to get a shot off from just inside the penalty box that looked like it was headed into the goal. But the ball hit the right post and dribbled away.
With under a minute remaining, the Dons drew a foul inside the LMU third of the field. Kolovos served the ball to the back post where Valentino was waiting to head it in and give the Dons the lead. Lion Stephen Carlson got a header off with two seconds remaining, but the shot went wide.
The stat sheet shows the closeness of the game. LMU edged USF in shots, 15-10, and the teams had an almost even number of fouls, with the Dons taking a slight 16-15 lead.
Melendez led the Lions with four shots, and Ben Dessard led USF with three shot attempts. Robert Flores made four saves in goal for LMU, while Uhl finished with eight saves to record the shutout.
The Lions return to action on Sunday when they host Santa Clara at 2:00pm at Sullivan Field.
San Francisco (5-3-1, 1-1) vs. Loyola Marymount (3-4-2, 1-2)
Date: Oct 07, 2005 Attendance: 383
Weather: mid 60's, breezy
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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San Francisco....... 0 1 - 1
Loyola Marymount.... 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 89:18 USF VALENTINO, Rob (KOLOVOS, Cameron) - header from free kick
Shots: San Francisco 10, Loyola Marymount 15
Saves: San Francisco 8 (UHL, Geremy 8), Loyola Marymount 4 (Flores, Robert 4)
- GO LIONS! -
