Sept. 7, 2008

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Los Angeles, CA - LMU's unbeaten streak to start the season and unblemished mark against ranked teams both ended Sunday when seventh-ranked UC Santa Barbara scored twice in the final seven minutes to hand the Lions a 3-1 loss at Sullivan Field. The Lions (1-1-2) got on the board first but the Gauchos (3-0-0) replied with three goals to dash the home team's upset hopes.

LMU entered the game with one win and two ties against ranked teams this season and were looking to claim their highest-ranked pelt in the form of the Gauchos. Things started well for the Lions as the striking duo of senior Jawaan Delaney and freshman Kyle Johanson linked up to give the Lions the lead after 13 minutes. Senior Brad Stisser was also integral to the move, collecting the ball on the right flank and playing a pretty one-two with Delaney. Stisser then sent a low cross into the box, where Johanson was positioned to finish into the lower right corner for his first career goal.

LMU's lead would not last long, however, as the Gauchos were quick to strike back. Just two minutes after Johanson's opener, Gaucho leading scorer Chris Pontius latched onto a through-ball from Bryan Dominguez and lifted a chip past LMU freshman goalie Jack McCormack.

Johanson nearly gave the lead right back to the Lions two minutes later, beating UCSB keeper Trond Helge Takset, but his attempt was cleared off the line by a defender. The Lions had another golden chance in the 30th minute sophomore Rafael Baca's shot sailed wide and the teams went into the locker room knotted at one.

LMU turned up the pressure in the second half and almost fashioned the go-ahead goal but attempts by Baca and Stisser were both off-target. As the game wore on, the physical play increased with both sides battling hard for the ball. The teams looked to be heading to overtime before the Gauchos caught the Lions twice on counter-attacks to put the match away. In the 82nd minute, Pontius fed Martin Hedevag from the right side, with Hedevag finishing past McCormack from 12 yards out.

With time ticking away and the Lions pressing forward for the equalizer, UCSB countered one more time. After a broken Lion attack, the Gauchos sent numbers forward on a four-on-two break. Michael Tetteh carried the ball for a good 20 yards before unleashing a left-footed shot from 23 yards that found the lower right corner.

UCSB held a 15-12 shot advantage, forcing McCormack into four saves. Takset stopped two shots for the Gauchos.

After opening the year with four straight home games, the Lions take a break from competition next week for the annual Alumni Game, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday. LMU takes its first road trip of the season the following week as it faces two more ranked squads in Northwestern and Illinois-Chicago.

- GO LIONS -