Oct. 13, 2008

Los Angeles - LMU junior defender Wilkie Johnson has been recognized for his outstanding contributions on both offense and defense over the weekend as he earned his first career West Coast Conference Player of the Week honor Monday, the conference office announced. The Lions went 2-0-0 on the weekend, thanks to Johnson's defense against Portland and his game-winning goal against Gonzaga.

One of two upperclassmen playing alongside a pair of freshmen in the LMU defense, Johnson (Palos Verdes, CA/Peninsula HS) was a major force in holding Portland to just one first-half shot and eight total in LMU's 1-0 shutout win. On Sunday, he rose up on offense to head home the game-winning goal off a corner kick in the 92nd minute for a 2-1 victory over Gonzaga. It was his first goal of the season and fifth of his career to help the Lions (4-3-4, 2-1-0 WCC) move above .500 for the first time this season.

This is the third time in seven weeks that an LMU player has won the conference's weekly honor, following junior goalkeeper Patrick Sampson, who won the award twice in September. The three LMU awards this year are the most in one season since the Lions took three in 2003.

LMU travels to the Bay Area this weekend to take on defending WCC champions Santa Clara Friday and San Francisco on Sunday.

- GO LIONS -