Oct. 5, 2008
Box Score
Moraga, CA - Junior Brad Stisser got LMU off to the start it wanted in the West Coast Conference opener but hosts Saint Mary's came back with two goals, including the game-winner in the 89th minute, to stun the Lions 2-1 at Saint Mary's Field on Sunday in Moraga, CA. The Lions (2-3-4, 0-1-0 WCC) attempted more than 20 shots for the second straight game but were victimized by Emmanuel Sarabia's goal at 89:08 for the Gaels (2-6-1, 1-0-0 WCC).
LMU has made it a point lately to turn up the intensity on the offensive end, coming off a season-high 26 shots against Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday. On this occasion, the Lions attempted 24 shots but only nine were on target and just one resulted in a goal. That came in the 29th minute when junior Brad Stisser gave the Lions the lead with a spectacular 35-yard strike. The goal was Stisser's first of the year and gave the LMU active leader seven for his career.
The Lions had difficulty closing out the half as Saint Mary's netted both of its goals in the final minutes of each period. First, Mark Araujo pulled the Gaels level at 42:14, heading in a cross from Justin Kim to send the teams into the break level at one-all.
Saint Mary's started the second half with six straight shots but the LMU defense was able to hold strong. LMU held a 14-10 shot advantage in the second 45 minutes but it was a Lion miss that led to SMC's game-winner. After Stisser's 88th-minute shot went high, the ensuing Gael goal-kick put them on the offensive. Araujo took the ball down the left sideline, crossing in to Sarabia, whose header found the net with just 52 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Lions had one more attack in them as sophomore Rafael Baca's ninth shot attempt of the game went wide with 17 seconds left, sending the Lions to their second consecutive loss in a WCC opener.
Junior goalkeeper Patrick Sampson made four saves but gave up two goals in a game for the first time all season. Jason Badger made eight saves for SMC despite facing 24 Lion shots.
LMU is back home next week, hosting Portland at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Gonzaga at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
- GO LIONS -
