Nov. 10, 2005

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - The LMU men's soccer team dropped a critical conference match at Saint Mary's this afternoon, falling 2-1 to the host Gaels. SMC took an early lead, but LMU tied things up in the 28th minute. After nearly 50 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Gaels tallied the eventual game-winner at 75:00 and would hold on for the victory. LMU fall to 7-8-4 on the season, 5-5-1 in the WCC.

Senior Michael Johnson scored his third goal in the last two games 13 minutes into the contest. After a free kick from 35-yards out by Derek Youpel, Johnson again used his head by leaping over the LMU defense and found net on the left side.

The Lions tied the game at one in the 28th minute when Trini Gomez one-touched a goal off an Armando Melendez corner kick and Tony Chinakwe flick.

At the 75-minute mark, Alex Christlieb broke the 1-1 tie with a one-touch goal right in front of the goal. Junior Matthew Fitzgerald broke away from the Lion defense and from the right side of the box he found Christlieb for the goal from two-yards out.

Offensively, the Gaels tallied 19 shots, putting 10 on goal. Fitzgerald led the way with five shots and three on goal. The Lions tallied 10 shots on the afternoon, putting five on goal. Gomez recorded a team-high three shots with two on goal.

SMC goalkeeper Brian Mason tallied four saves. LMU goalkeeper Robert Flores recorded a game-high eight stops.

LMU falls into fourth place in the WCC with the loss. The conference title is still up for grabs, as Santa Clara lost to Gonzaga, 2-1 this afternoon. San Francisco faces Portland tonight and the Dons could move into second place in the conference with a win.

The Lions wrap up their season on Saturday when they host San Diego at 2pm at Sullivan Field. LMU will honors its two seniors, Jimmy Burling and Armando Melendez, in a ceremony before the game.

Loyola Marymount (7-8-4, 5-5-1 WCC) vs. Saint Mary's (9-9-1, 6-4-1 WCC)
 Date: Nov 10, 2005  Attendance: 355

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Loyola Marymount....  1  0 -  1
 Saint Mary's........  1  1 -  2
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  12:50 SMC JOHNSON, Michael (3) (YOUPEL, Derek) - header from 10-yds out off a free kick f
  2.  27:44 LMU Gomez, Trini (Chinakwe, Tony;MELENDEZ, Armando) - goal off corner kick passed on by 3 to 2
  3.  75:00 SMC CHRISTLIEB, Alex (FITZGERALD, Matthew) - fast break on right side by 16 pass acro
 Shots: Loyola Marymount 10, Saint Mary's 19
 Saves: Loyola Marymount 8 (Flores, Robert 8), Saint Mary's 4 (MASON, Brian 4)

- GO LIONS! -