Sept. 28, 2008
Box Score
Los Angeles - For the fourth time in seven games in 2008, LMU found itself walking off the field with a tie after 110 minutes, following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Oregon State at Sullivan Field. The four ties for the Lions (1-2-4) equals the school record for most in a season, set in 1988 and matched in 2005, while the draw was just the second this year for the Beavers (3-4-2).
Playing their first non-ranked opponent of the season, the Lions controlled much of the run of play but were unable to come away with the win as mental mistakes kept the Beavers in the game. OSU started strongest, forcing reigning West Coast Conference Player of the Week Patrick Sampson into an early save off a header from Josh Cameron. The Lions settled down and pushed the tempo, creating three opportunities between the 17th and 22nd minutes. Sophomore Rafael Baca had the best of these chances, firing a left-footed shot from 20 yards that flew just wide.
Spurred on by its flurry of shots, LMU grabbed the lead in the 34th minute. Sophomore Vincent Ocampo sliced through the Beaver defense and laid the ball back for freshman Tyler Krumpe, who delivered a crisp cross into the area. Junior Steffen Canty was on the other end of the cross, finding space to head past OSU goalie Mike Miller. It was Canty's first goal of the year and third of his career.
The Lions looked for an immediate second, pushing forward for a pair of Baca shots but neither could find the target. Still, the Lions took a lead into halftime for the second time this season.
Ten minutes into the second frame, LMU came close to doubling its lead. A well-played combination on the right saw Baca cross to Canty, who headed on to freshman Artur Jozkowicz. Miller came to OSU's rescue, turning away Jozkowicz's point-blank shot for a corner.
Two minutes later, the Beavers were gifted their equalizer. After winning a corner, Robby Christner floated in a cross that was claimed by Sampson but as he came down from his jump, the ball squirted loose. Danny Mwanga was quickest to react, pouncing on the loose ball and navigating his shot through the crowd and into the net.
Mwanga's goal seemed to give the Beavers life as they followed up by forcing Sampson into a pair of saves. It was LMU, however, who nearly regained the lead. Earning a free kick 25 yards out, junior Brad Stisser curled his shot past the diving Miller but it came back off the crossbar. At the other end, Mwanga almost capitalized on another LMU defensive miscue when he got in behing the Lion defense but Sampson got the better of the one-on-one effort with a crucial save.
LMU earned another free kick with 16 seconds remaining in regulation. Canty's long cross was met by freshman Phil Da Silva but he could not keep his header down as time expired. In overtime, Sampson had one last great save in him, going low to his right to push away Ryan Callahan's close-range effort.
Sampson finished the contest with eight saves while Miller stopped three for OSU. LMU held a 20-14 shot advantage.
LMU closes out its non-conference schedule at home next Thursday, hosting Cal State Bakersfield at 4 p.m.
- GO LIONS -
