Sept. 4, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

This Week
Friday, September 5 - 1:30 p.m.
LMU vs. UC Irvine
*Game to be followed by LMU men vs. Cal Poly

Sunday, September 7 - 1:00 p.m.
LMU vs. Harvard
*Game to be followed by LMU men vs. UC Santa Barbara

Briefly
The first road trip of the season behind them, the Lions return to Sullivan Field this weekend for a pair of games. On Friday, LMU hosts UC Irvine at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday, it's a battle of the coasts as Harvard comes to town. Both games will be a part of an LMU soccer doubleheader, with the Lion men playing their games immediately following the women.

Listen To And Follow The Lions Live On The Web
Loyola Marymount University, in conjunction with Stretch Internet, is proud to present FREE live audio broadcasts over the World Wide Web on www.LMULions.com. Just click on the "Listen" or "Archive" link next to the game of your choice. All broadcasts will be archived within 72 hours of their original airing and will include both the pre-game and post-game shows.
All home games and select away games will be available live on Gametracker through the LMU website. Check www.LMULions.com for all Gametracker live stats information.

Media Guide
The 2008 LMU women's soccer media guide is now available to download at www.LMULions.com. This is the only source of copies of the guide.

Coming to a Game?
If you are planning to attend at game at LMU this season, then be sure to reserve your tickets today by ordering online at www.LMULions.com or calling the LMU Ticket Office at (310) 338-LION. The Loyola Marymount University campus is located in Westchester at 1 LMU Drive, approximately four miles north of the Los Angeles International Airport. Visitors must use the main entrance off of Lincoln Blvd. on LMU Drive. Parking for Sullivan Field will be in General Parking Lot A.

About UC Irvine (1-2)
UC Irvine went 1-1 last week, picking up its first win of the season on Friday when it defeated Northern Arizona 1-0 behind a goal from Amanda Phillips. The Anteaters then fell 1-0 to San Diego.
Head Coach Scott Juniper is in his second season in Irvine, where he has amassed a record of 12-9-2. Last year, UCI went 11-7-2 and placed third in the Big West Conference with a 5-2-1 mark. The Anteaters return 15 letterwinners and seven starters.
UC Irvine leads the all-time series 4-2-3 but LMU is undefeated in the last four meetings, have posted both its wins. The teams last met in 2004 in Irvine, battling to a goalless draw. The series is tied at 1-1-2 when playing at Sullivan Field.

About Harvard (0-0)
Harvard is getting a late start to its season, kicking off for the first time on Friday at Long Beach State before traveling up the coast to face LMU Sunday. The Crimson are coming off a 2007 season in which they went 10-6-1 and finished tied for sixth in the Ivy League at 3-4-0.
This is Ray Leone's second season as Harvard Head Coach. Harvard lost just three players from last season while returning all 11 starters and 22 letterwinners. This will be the second meeting between LMU and Harvard. The Crimson took the first game 2-1 in Los Angeles in 2000.

Last Week Recap: LMU Matches Up with Top Competition
The Lions had a few firsts last weekend as they ventured out on the road for the first time this season and also played their first regular season games against ranked opponents. Neither turned out terribly well, as LMU dropped both contests at the Inn at Saint Mary's Classic in South Bend, IN.
On Friday, the Lions went up against tournament hosts and fourth-ranked Notre Dame. LMU's hopes for an upset were quickly dashed when the Fighting Irish were awarded, and converted, two penalty kicks in the first 12 minutes. Notre Dame added a pair of goals in the second half to win 4-0. Juniors Allyssa Clark and Katie Graul split time in goal.
The Lions improved their play on Sunday against #12 West Virginia, and showed that their defense could match up with the best offenses in the country. The Mountaineers out-shot the Lions 27-3 but for 86 minutes, LMU kept them off the board. The shutout would be spoiled, however, with just 3:02 remaining as West Virginia broke through for the game's only goal. Clark was outstanding in goal for the Lions, making a career-high nine saves.

Home Unbeaten Streak Extended
After dropping its home opener last season, LMU rattled off 10 straight victories at Sullivan Field and carried that winning streak into the 2008 campaign. The draw with UNLV in the season opener made it 11 unbeaten at home.

No Need to Worry
LMU's 0-2-1 start to the year and one goal in the season's first 290 minutes is nothing to fret about. In fact, it might look a little familiar. Last year, the Lions opened the year 0-3-1 and failed to score at all in the first four games. That was until they returned from a tournament in Indiana and exploded for 12 goals in their next two games, both at home. The return to L.A. kick-started a nine-game winning streak and the season turned out alright. The moral of this passage? The Lions will be fine.

Top-Ranked Opponents Await Lions in 2008
The Lions played three ranked opponents in 2007, with all three coming within conference play but resulting in losses. In 2008, the Lions have scheduled no fewer than seven opponents who are ranked in the NSCAA preseason top-25, including three top-10 squads. Head Coach Joe Mallia has built up a strong non-conference schedule, as well, with the Lions set to face four ranked opponents outside WCC play. The ranked foes are no lightweights, either: LMU will be visiting three of the last four NCAA National Champions in Notre Dame (2004), USC (2007), and Portland (2005), who have also combined with Santa Clara (2001) to win five of the last seven national titles. Additionally, the Lions will be taking on three teams who won their respective conference's regular season title in 2007 - UNLV (Mountain West), West Virginia (Big East), and Portland (WCC).
Following its defeats last weekend in Indiana, LMU is 10-31-4 overall against ranked foes and last defeated a top-25 opponent since September 24, 2006, when it topped #16 USC 2-1. That was also the last time that the Lions played a ranked team outside of the WCC.

Mallia Aims For 100
Head Coach Joe Mallia enters his second season at LMU sitting on 99 career victories, meaning that the Lions' first win of 2008 will be the coach's 100th. Mallia amassed 87 of those victories at Loyola (Md.), with 12 more coming in his first season at LMU.

Lions Receiving Votes Regionally
Despite the winless start and on the strength of their difficult schedule, the Lions have been recognized this week by Soccerbuzz.com in the West Region poll.

Shanklin Picks Up the Slack
After coming off the bench to score three goals on just seven shots in 2007, Lauren Shanklin continues to display incredible efficiency. In the opener against UNLV, the senior again started the game on the bench but made the most of her opportunity, scoring on her first shot of the season as she rebounded a saved free-kick to give the Lions a tie with the Rebels. In 39 career matches, Shanklin has six goals on 20 shots.

Introducing the New Sullivan Field
LMU's home field could be its own version of Extreme Home Makeover. Over the summer, Sullivan Field received brand new sod that should hold up better to the rigors of practices, games, and rain. Fans will also notice that the playing surface has shifted. The field was moved about 30 yards to the south to make room for a brand-new facility adjacent to Gersten Pavilion that will hold four locker rooms, a weight facility, two conference rooms, and offices. The facility is set to be completed in May 2009. In the meantime, fans can enjoy the expanded seating area at Sullivan Field, where new bleachers have been installed at midfield.