Oct. 11, 2009

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. - LMU (8-3-2, 0-0-1) opened West Coast Conference play with a scoreless tie on the road at Pepperdine (7-4-1, 0-0-1) on Sunday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.

Lion goalkeeper Allyssa Clark did an outstanding job protecting the Lion net, denying 10 of Pepperdine's 23 shots on the day. Despite being out-shot, 23-9, over the course of the match, LMU did manage to put a higher percentage of its shots on frame, finishing with five shots on goal compared to 10 for the Waves. Julie Gallaudet paced the LMU attack, firing four shots, including one on frame. Pepperdine goalie Roxanne Barker collected five saves in the mutual shutout, while Sophia Medina and Laura Cole each took five shots offensively.

The Lions came out and quickly tried to take an early lead as Gallaudet forced a save from Barker just two minutes into the match. Despite the early offensive showing, it was Pepperdine that consistently tested the opposing goalkeeper in the half, and eventually the match. The Waves posted eight shots, including three that required action from Clark, after that early opportunity for the Lions, allowing just one more from LMU over the first 45 minutes. Pepperdine, which took three of its 11 total corner kicks in the first half, had one with eight seconds left in the period, but the Lions were able to clear the ball and keep the score even.

Although it was out-shot once again in the second half, 8-6, LMU did manage to force three goalkeeper saves in the period, one better than the Waves. For the second consecutive period, LMU came out quickly and forced a save from Barker, as this time Tiffany Harrison loaded up at 43:58. Pepperdine took four corner kicks in the second half, while LMU recorded its only two of the match in the period, including one at 41:08 as the Lions continued to push hard to start the second half. Cori McGovern had an opportunity just about halfway through the second, heading a ball over the crossbar to keep the match scoreless. The game's only booking, a yellow card issued to LMU's Michelle Kanama, preceded back-to-back shots within a span of one minute from Pepperdine, as both sailed over the bar. The Waves continued the offensive charge, inducing a pair of corner kicks at 13:25 and 12:51, but the Lions were able remove the threat on both occasions. Both teams had shot attempts late in the second half, as Stockman was denied by Clark with just under five minutes left, and Gallaudet had her shot blocked by a defender just one minute later for the Lions. Stockman tried her luck once more with two minutes left in the period, but her shot was high and forced overtime.

The Waves seemed to control the ball in the first overtime period, taking four shots and four corner kicks in the period, holding the Lions to no shots and no corners. Clark was tested throughout the 10-minute overtime period, recording three saves, including two within the first two minutes, but the senior was able to keep the slate clean headed into the second overtime.

Once again it was Pepperdine on the offensive, taking three shots and forcing two more Clark saves. After failing to take a shot in the first 10-minute overtime, LMU did fire one in the second, a Gallaudet offering that flew wide with just over two minutes left in the match. Neither team managed to record a corner-kick opportunity, as the match ended in a 0-0 tie. The Waves, and more specifically Stockman, had the final chance at a game-winner, letting a shot loose with 24 seconds that was denied by Clark for her 10th and final save.

The Lions return to action on October 16 when they host Gonzaga at 12:30 p.m.