Sept. 12, 2010

Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. - LMU's school-record-tying start to the season came to a halt on Sunday as the Lions conceded two goals in the second half to fall 3-1 to #25 Butler at the Wildcat Invitational in Lexington, Ky. Sophomore Kyle Johanson had pulled the Lions (3-1-0) even in the first half but the Bulldogs (4-0-0) scored twice in the final 33 minutes to remain unbeaten on the year.

Coming off of Friday night's dramatic 1-0 overtime win against Kentucky, the Lions looked to make it four in a row by taking to the offensive. The Lions held a 12-8 shot advantage but could not capitalize as the Bulldogs took the lead after 11:56 when Adekulne Oluyedun latched on to a long ball on the breakaway to beat LMU junior goalkeeper Jack McCormack at the near post.

Johanson nearly pulled the Lions even eight minutes later but his shot came back off the post. No woodwork could deny him the equalizer in the 42nd minute, however, as he pounced on a rebound off a corner kick and fired home from six yards out for his second career goal and send the game into halftime knotted at one.

The tie score and a 9-3 shot advantage in the first half seemed to favor the Lions, who came into the game having scored four of their five goals on the season after halftime. It was Butler who proved stronger in the second half, however, grabbing the game-winner in the 57th minute. Off a long throw, the ball eluded the defense and fell to Jamie Vollmer, whose shot found the net at the far post.

LMU again pushed forward for the equalizer but was left vulnerable to a counter-attack and a third Butler goal. That came three minutes from time off a free kick from the corner of the penalty box, when Ben Sippola's shot put the game away.

McCormack made one save but he and the Lions saw their two-match shutout streak halted. Fabian Knopfler stopped three shots for the Bulldogs.

At the conclusion of the tournament, LMU senior Rafael Baca, junior Roger Downes, and sophomore David Ponce were named to the All-Tournament team.

LMU continues its eight-match road trip next weekend as it heads to Northern California for a pair of matches. First up is a rematch with Sacramento State on Friday at 4 p.m. in the teams' first meeting since the 2010 NCAA Tournament. That is followed on Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Lions visit San Jose State.