Nov. 19, 2009

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - LMU saw its quest for the 2009 NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup come to an end on Thursday afternoon when Sacramento State's Bryan Baker scored in overtime to send Sacramento State to the second round with a 2-1 victory at Sullivan Field in Los Angeles, Calif. The Lions (10-9-2) had rallied from a one-goal deficit, only for Baker to head home the winner in the 96th minute to send the Hornets (12-5-3) to their 10th straight game without a defeat.

With a lively crowd cheering on both teams and a gorgeous sunny day allowing for pristine conditions, the teams put on a show for over 96 minutes. They combined for the three goals on 34 shots, with each team capable of more if not for three shots hitting the woodwork. When regulation could not separate the two squads, extra time was needed and Baker provided the game-winner off of Fernando Cabadas' free kick.

It took both sides some time to feel each other out at the start, with Ernesto Carranza bringing the first save of the match out of either keeper, forcing LMU senior Patrick Sampson into a save 15 minutes in. Sacramento State would break the deadlock in the 28th minute when Max Alvarez sent a low, dipping shot at Sampson from 20 yards out. Sampson could only push the ball away and Scott Crandall was first to pounce on the rebound, sliding in to put the visitors ahead 1-0 on his fourth goal of the season.

Taking a goal seemed to awaken the Lions, who came straight out from the restart, out-shooting the Hornets 6-0 for the rest of the half. Bryan Oliver was called into action for his first save on the half-hour mark, stopping sophomore Tyler Krumpe's attempt, and Sac State carried a 1-0 lead into the half.

LMU continued its momentum in the second half, pounding the Hornet goal for 13 shots. Junior Rafael Baca set the tone coming out of the locker room, embarking on a mazy run in which he sidestepped four defenders before being brought down at the edge of the box. His shot was harmlessly over the goal, however. Minutes later, the Lions nearly pulled level when sophomore Artur Jozkowicz was put through on the right side of the box. He stung a shot to Oliver's right but the goalie was able to react and get a hand up to keep it out.

Despite LMU pushing forward for the first six shots of the second half, Sacramento State nearly doubled its advantage in the 61st minute when Carranza's curling shot from 22 yards hit the top of the crossbar.

LMU would get its equalizer in the 74th minute on a well-played link-up between two juniors. Vincent Ocampo made a run down the left and played a pass to Baca on the edge of the area. Ocampo never stopped his run, receiving Baca's return pass just inside the penalty area. Picking his spot in the far corner, Ocampo's low shot curled around Oliver and into the right netting to pull the Lions level. It was Ocampo's first goal of the year while Baca provided his fifth assist on the season.

Back in the game, LMU had two chances for a winner in regulation but was denied by the woodwork each time. Just four minutes after drawing level, freshman Sean Sears got loose in the box for a header, only to see it come back off the crossbar. Three minutes from the end, freshman Chris Bernardi took aim from long-range, skimming his shot off the crossbar. At the other end, Sampson produced a good stop off of Diego Marroquin's header, going low to his right.

Heading into overtime, LMU held a 21-11 shot advantage and added to that total when senior Brock Smith shot straight at Oliver. Moments later, LMU's shouts for a handball in the box were waved off. Baker would end the contest against the run of play, however, when LMU was whistled for a foul 35 yards from its goal on the left side. Cabadas swung in the free kick and Baker met it at the far post, eluding Sampson and a defender with his downward header to send the Hornets through.

In his final collegiate game, Sampson made four saves to move into a tie for 10th place on the LMU career list with 113. Oliver stopped three saves for Sacramento State.

Even with the defeat, LMU finishes above .500 for the first time since 2006 and reached 10 victories for the fifth time in school history and first time since 2004. Next season, the Lions will return 14 of the 19 players who suited up in the NCAA Tournament game.