Nov. 7, 2008

Box Score

Portland, OR - LMU's attempt to keep pace with the West Coast Conference leaders took a severe hit Friday night with a 1-0 loss at Portland. The Lions (5-7-5, 3-5-1 WCC) held a 19-15 shot advantage but were unable to find the net as the Pilots (7-9-2, 4-6-0 WCC) earned a season split.

Searching for their first road victory of the WCC season, the Lions pushed forward from the opening whistle, reaching 19 shots for the first time in six matches. Portland goalie Austin Guerrero, the WCC saves leader, was equal to the task, however, registering nine saves to keep the Lions off the board.

Portland would get all the scoring it would need in the 17th minute through Frankie Lopez, who followed up a shot from Collen Warner that had rebounded off the post, first-timing a shot into the lower right corner of the net.

LMU's best chance of the first half came on the half-hour mark as sophomore Rafael Baca drilled a line drive from 20 yards out but Guerrero laid himself out to make a diving stop.

LMU came out firing early in the second half but Guerrero was up to the challenge. During the opening minutes of the second stanza, the Lions had a handful of opportunities from point-blank range that were thwarted by Guerrero, including a kick save off a shot from freshman Phil De Silva from eight yards out.

Junior Patrick Sampson, making his return to his hometown, did his best to keep up with Guerrero. In the 74th minute, Lopez almost claimed his second goal but his shot from 12 yards was knocked away by Sampson, one of his five saves on the evening. Warner then ripped three more shots during the next minute, including an attempt from 12 yards out that hit the left post once again.

LMU's last good look came with five minutes showing on the clock when freshman Artur Jozkowicz gained possession at the top of the box. Jozkowicz was able to turn and crack a shot that sailed just high of the UP crossbar.

The Lions close out their final road trip of the season on Sunday at Gonzaga.

- GO LIONS -