Aug. 22, 2008
Box Score
Los Angeles - LMU battled back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with UNLV in Friday's season opener in front of 215 fans at Sullivan Field. The Rebels (0-0-1) grabbed a first-half lead, only to see the Lions (0-0-1) reply early in the second half as the teams held each other in check through two overtime periods.
The Lions entered the game riding a 10-game home winning streak dating back to last season that was put to the test as Ashleigh Shoughro gave UNLV a 1-0 lead after just 16 minutes. Amanda Forrester intercepted an LMU clearance and fed Shoughro, who chipped an on-rushing Allyssa Clark from 20 yards for the first goal of the season.
LMU controlled the play in the opening half hour but it was UNLV who had the better chances. Two minutes after taking the lead, UNLV almost doubled it when Kelly Labor rattled a shot off the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down but did not cross the line and rebounded into Clark's arms.
The Lions regrouped at halftime and came out with a purpose in the second, keeping possession and stretching the Rebel defense. Five minutes into the half, LMU would pull level. After being awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, freshman Brittney Sanford sent a fearsome shot that was parried by UNLV goalie Alicia Lugo. The rebound came to senior Lauren Shanklin, who headed it in before Lugo could recover. Her equalizer was her sixth career goal.
LMU pushed forward in the second half looking for the winning goal and almost got it were it not for Lugo's heroics. The UNLV keeper went low to her right to deny sophomore Gabrielle Parisella on a diving header to keep the score level as the teams headed into overtime.
After a defensive first overtime period, the game opened up in the second 10 minutes, with each team having one clear-cut chance. For LMU, it came via junior Lacey Bartels, who was denied by Lugo as she pushed Bartels' free kick onto the crossbar. At the other end, Forrester could not direct an open header toward the target and Shoughro watched her chip of Clark roll wide. The Lions also had a chance through sophomore Lily Sorentino but her shot was straight at Lugo.
UNLV held a 13-10 shot advantage. Making her second career start, Clark finished with five saves. Lugo stopped six for the Rebels.
LMU takes its first road trip of the year with Head Coach Joe Mallia looking for his 100th career victory. The Lions travel to South Bend, IN, next weekend for the Inn at Saint Mary's Classic, where they will face a pair of ranked Big East teams in #5 Notre Dame and #12 West Virginia.
