Sept. 10, 2010

Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Sophomore David Ponce's first career goal 20 seconds into overtime lifted LMU to its third consecutive victory, 1-0 over Kentucky Friday night in front of 1,118 fans at the Wildcat Invitational on UK Soccer Field in Lexington, Ky. Ponce's goal helped the Lions (3-0-0) equal the best start in school history, as they handed the Wildcats (2-1-0) their first loss of the year.

LMU has played a total 75 seconds of overtime soccer this season and come away with two wins. For the second time in three games, LMU found itself in overtime. And for the second time in three games, LMU decided the match within the first minute of the overtime. Following junior Artur Jozkowicz's game-winner 55 seconds into overtime against San Diego State, Ponce took all of 20 seconds to net the winner at Kentucky.

The large crowd of UK fans had barely regained their voice for bonus soccer when Ponce silenced them with the winner. From the kick-off, junior Logan McDaniel played the ball to senior Rafael Baca, who found a cutting junior Kyle Johanson. Ponce made his run off of Johanson and was slipped a through-ball, wrong-footing UK goalkeeper Tyler Beadle as the Wildcats conceded their first goal of the season. It was Ponce's first goal with the Lions after transferring from UC Santa Barbara and tied him for the team lead with four points. On the goal, Baca registered his third assist of the season, moving him within one of seventh place on the Lions' all-time assists list with 14.

Baca was inches from winning the game himself in the final second of regulation. Pushing forward for the deciding goal, LMU won a corner with 13 seconds left. McDaniel swung it in but the ball was cleared to Baca outside the box. The senior took aim with the clock winding down and beat Beadle, only for his shot to come back off the crossbar with two seconds left.

Prior to the final 22 seconds, the teams had played a fairly even contest, with both sides having opportunities to break the deadlock. The Wildcats held an 11-8 shot advantage in the game and could have taken the lead in the 35th minute if it was not for a Lion defender clearing the ball off the line to deny Alex Clay.

In the 81st minute, LMU junior Fernando Barba took a long-range effort that tried to catch Beadle off the line. Beadle's momentum took him dangerously close to the end line on a leaping save but he extended his arms to keep the ball in play and out of the goal.

LMU junior goalkeeper Jack McCormack and the Lion defense registered its second consecutive shutout, with McCormack making four saves. Beadle ended the game with two saves.

The Lions will battle another undefeated team in #25 Butler on Sunday at 9 a.m. PT. The Bulldogs defeated Houston Baptist 5-1 in Friday's opener at the Wildcat Invitational.