Sept. 1, 2010

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LOS ANGELES - LMU rallied from a goal down with two goals in the final four minutes for a heart-stopping 2-1 victory over San Diego State in the season opener for both teams at Sullivan Field. After falling behind 1-0, the Lions (1-0-0) equalized in the 87th minute through junior Roger Downes before junior Artur Jozkowicz won it a minute into the first overtime period.

After LMU rallied to tie the game with just three minutes remaining, it took a mere 55 seconds into overtime for Jozkowicz to nab the game-winner. Off a long goal kick, sophomore David Ponce collected the knock-down and carried the ball forward. He found a streaking Jozkowicz on the left side and the junior cut the ball back near the end line before firing low across the frame. The ball took a deflection but found the back of the net, giving LMU the exciting come-from-behind victory.

San Diego State had taken the lead in the 55th minute against the run of play as Jose Altamirano found Andre Acevedo at the edge of the penalty area and Acevedo's first-time shot eluded LMU junior goalkeeper Jack McCormack.

But that left plenty of time for the Lions to find the equalizer. After winning a free kick on the left side 25 yards out, senior Rafael Baca delivered a perfect ball to the far post, where it was headed back across goal by junior Jonas Reiter. Downes met the ball on the opposite post, tapping home from six yards out for his first career goal.

Both teams had several chances earlier in the match. Reiter had the first chance to put the Lions on top after just seven minutes but his open header from 10 yards out went just high. Two minutes later, Khadim Diouf shook a few defenders on the left to get to the byline, only for McCormack to parry the save.

In the 16th minute, Jozkowicz broke through on left and tried to slot his shot to the far post with his right foot but he could not keep his shot down as it sailed high. That would be it until the 44th minute when junior Alex Greenman had the best opportunity to that point, latching on to a Baca cross unmarked at the back post but he, too, couldn't keep his header down.

The Lions were unlucky not to equalize soon after SDSU took the lead. In the 65th minute, Baca's spectacular left-footed bicycle kick attempt was wide and junior Phil Da Silva saw his 70th minute header come back off the crossbar. Three minutes later, freshman Christian Alvarado looked to make a stunning debut, only for SDSU goalie Brad Byrns to deny him low to his left.

In the end, it would not matter as the Lions pressed forward and capitalized on a 15-6 shot advantage. McCormack made two saves to earn the win and Byrns stopped three shots for the Aztecs.

LMU plays at home for the final time in non-conference play on Sunday when it hosts Cal State Northridge at 4 p.m. The game will be the second half of an LMU soccer doubleheader that day, with the Lion women taking on Tennessee-Martin at 1 p.m.