Sept. 17, 2010

Box Score

Post-game interview with Lily Sorentino and Julie Gallaudet.

LOS ANGELES - LMU used a strong second-half push to bounce back from its first home loss of the season and down Utah State 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Sullivan Field. Freshman Tawni Martino scored her team-leading fifth goal of the year and senior Julie Gallaudet added her first of the season and 11th of her career for the Lions (5-2-0), who have now won five of their last six.

Looking to recover from last Sunday's 1-0 loss to #3 Notre Dame, the Lions took it to the Aggies (3-2-3) early, outshooting the visitors 8-1 in the first half. Martino got things started in the seventh minute, forcing a save out of USU goalie Ashlyn Mulford. After Kendra Pemberton fired high for Utah State's only shot of the opening 45 minutes, it was all Lions. Junior Brittney Sanford came close twice from long-range, with her first attempt at the 15-minute mark bouncing back off the post and her second, a curling shot in the 19th minute, sailing just high.

For all of its offensive domination, LMU had nothing to show for it at the half as the teams went into the break in a scoreless tie. After playing much in their defensive half for the opening period, the Aggies went on the attack coming out of the intermission, with Chandra Salmon and Heather Pond both getting good looks but firing wide.

Sophomore Jordan Nelson nearly broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when a looping corner found her at the edge of the 18 yard box. Nelson sent a powerful header that was looking to find the top corner until Mulford sprang for the save.

The Lions would get that all-important first goal three minutes later on a combination of excellent vision, great hustle, and a little luck. Freshman Etajha Gilmer picked out senior Lily Sorentino on the left side and Sorentino charged down the line to keep it in play. Turning back on her right foot, she sent a dangerous cross into the middle that brought Mulford off her line. The goalkeeper could not reach in time and the ball hit a defender and ricocheted off the post. Martino was quickest to pounce, heading into the empty net for her fifth goal in the last six matches. Sorentino picked up her 15th career assist, moving into a tie for third on LMU's career list.

Spurred on by the lead, LMU would get its second 13 minutes from time. Senior Kelley Lawson collected the ball in the box and laid it back to Gallaudet at the edge of the area. Gallaudet's one-time left-footed shot beat Mulford low and to her left to put the game out of reach. It was Gallaudet's first goal of the season and 11th of her career, leaving her one shy of entering the LMU career top-10.

Not to be overlooked was the play of the Lion defense, who limited the Aggies to just six shots, only two of which troubled freshman Brittany Jagger into saves as she notched her third shutout of the year. LMU sent 14 shots at the USU goal, with Mulford making five saves. The Lions have now won both all-time meetings against the Aggies and have yet to concede a goal to them.

The Lions continue their four-game homestand on Sunday with a 1 p.m. kick-off against Penn.