Nov. 6, 2009

Box Score

Postgame interview with LMU Associate Head Coach Mathes Mennell.

LOS ANGELES - Sophomore Artur Jozkowicz scored the game-winner with 20 minutes left to help LMU complete its comeback from an early deficit with a 2-1 victory over visiting Gonzaga in a West Coast Conference match Friday afternoon at Sullivan Field. The Lions (8-8-1, 3-5-1 WCC) tied a season-high with 23 shots while dominating possession to split the season series with the Bulldogs (6-8-3, 3-6-1 WCC).

The Lions were scintillating on the attack, peppering the Gonzaga goal with a season-high-tying 23 shots, including 14 that were on target. LMU's offense was linking up well and using its speed to keep the Bulldogs on their heels and get in around the back and probably could have had more than the pair of goals if not for the play of Gonzaga goalie Scott Barnum, who made 12 saves on the day.

A lively first half saw the teams head into the locker room each with a goal, although the tally could have been higher for both sides. LMU had the majority of the possession in the opening 45 minutes but it was Gonzaga who took the lead five minutes in, catching the Lions on a counter-attack. Tye Perdido managed to step around LMU freshman goalie Max Young but his shot was stopped on the line by sophomore Tyler Krumpe. The rebound came straight back to Perdido, however, who dropped a pass back to Nick Love, whose left-footed finish found the net before the defense could recover.

The Lions immediately went back on the offensive with plenty of chances to pull even if not for several saves by Barnum. First, junior Rafael Baca was put through the middle by a pass from sophomore Phil Da Silva, only to see Barnum go low to his right for a one-hannded stop. In the 17th minute, Baca and sophomore Alex Greenman linked up to provide service for sophomore Logan McDaniel. McDaniel rose high and sent a powerful header straight at Barnum. Baca was involved again in the Lions' next opportunity, showing some fancy footwork to step over the ball twice and deliver a low cross to freshman Sean Sears, whose diving header brought Barnum into a save low to his left.

With as much play as LMU had, Gonzaga nearly doubled its lead off another counter-attack. Perdido latched on to a long, looping ball over the top, only to see his left-footed shot clang back off the post.

Baca continued to be the source for LMU's best offensive forays and it was his play that first almost brought the Lions level and then led to the tying goal. In the 26th minute, he went on a solo run, cutting in from the left and unleashing a dipping shot from 20 yards that Barnum stretched high to tip over for a corner.

The Lions would get their equalizer five minutes from the half. Junior Vincent Ocampo played a brilliant through-ball to Baca, who paused to let one defender slide by, only to be taken down by a secondary Bulldog. The ref wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Baca, LMU's regular penalty taker, was shaken up and unable to take the spot kick so up stepped senior Steffen Canty. Barnum guessed correclty, diving to his right to parry the PK but the rebound came straight back to Canty, who put away his second attempt for his second goal of the season.

The excitement continued into the second half, with the recurring theme of Barnum keeping the Lions out. On the hour, the Lions had a 2-on-1 with Baca sending McDaniel through. Out came Barnum to deny McDaniel's shot with a kick-save. Moments later, Jozkowicz lost the battle when Barnum went low to his right.

Jozkowicz would get his revenge in the 70th minute off a nifty one-two with Da Silva. Jozkowicz advanced through the middle and played it to Da Silva on the edge of the area, then received a return pass that split a pair of defenders. In the clear with only Barnum to beat, Jozkowicz calmly sent his shot low and to the keeper's left for his first goal of the season.

Now it was Gonzaga's turn to press forward for an equalizer. With 16 minutes left, the ref waved off the Bulldogs' shouts for a penalty. Five minutes later, Perdido was sent through and stung a shot at senior goalkeeper Patrick Sampson, who had entered at halftime. Sampson was equal to the task with a punch away.

Seeking a cushion goal, the Lions kept pounding the Bulldogs only to see each attempt turned away by Barnum. First, the Bulldog goalie kept out McDaniel's shot from 16 yards. A minute later, Baca was gifted a chance from point-blank range when a Gonzaga defender was unable to clear a cross. Inside the six-yard box, Baca tried to beat Barnum to his low right, yet again was kept out by the keeper.

Gonzaga mounted one last attack, with Funkhouser breaking through in the final minute. Sampson was on his game to keep the Lions on top with a save to his left. The senior gained the win with three saves while Young stopped one in the first half.

LMU makes its final appearance at Sullivan Field on Sunday when it hosts Portland at 2 p.m. Prior to the match, the Lions will honor their seven seniors who wil be playing in their last home game.