Aug. 27, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery

Northridge, Calif. - Cal State Northridge scored three times in the second half to hand LMU its first loss of the year, 3-0, Thursday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field in Northridge, Calif. The Lions fall back to 1-1-0 while the Matadors improve to 2-1-0 and record just their second victory in 11 meetings against LMU.

A fairly quiet first half saw the teams go into the locker room knotted in a scoreless tie. LMU held a 5-2 advantage in shots but Leah Elliott made three saves for CSUN to keep the Lions off the board.

The Lions didn't know what hit them coming out of the half as Northridge scored on its first two shot attempts to take a 2-0 lead just six minutes in. Three minutes after the break, Sonia Espitia's second goal of the season put the Matadors in front. Reacting to a loose ball in the LMU box, Espitia pounced on it and fired past senior goalkeeper Allyssa Clark.

Three minutes later, CSUN made it 2-0. Heidi Farran delivered a cross from the wing that was met by Farryn Tomley, who found the net from five yards out.

After attempting just two shots in the first half, CSUN peppered the Lion goal with 10 shots in the second. LMU managed five attempts in the frame but none forced a save out of Elliott. Niki Connolly completed the scoring in the 86th minute from the penalty spot.

LMU was out-shot 12-10 by the Matadors after registering 19 attempts in the season opener last Friday at UNLV. Four of those attempts came from junior Julie Gallaudet, with sophomore Erin Rementer attempting the other two. Clark made two saves for the Lions while Elliott stopped three for CSUN.

Following two road games to start the 2009 season, LMU opens up a three-game home stand Sunday with a visit from Northern Arizona. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.