March 12, 2011

Box Score

BOX SCORES:
#6 LMU 8, #13 UCSB 3: PDF • HTML
#13 UCSB 8, Occidental 5: PDF • HTML
#6 LMU 15, Occidental 2: PDF • HTML

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Sixth-ranked LMU waited over a month to play a home game at the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center in the 2011 season, and they finally got their chance on Saturday, sweeping a pair of games in a tripleheader with 13th-ranked UC Santa Barbara and Occidental. The Lions defeated the Gauchos in the first game 8-3, and then knocked off Occidental, 15-2.

The Lions improve to 12-4 on the season with the two wins as they start an eight-game homestand. In the third game, UCSB defeated Occidental 8-5.

LMU started the day with its best defensive effort of the season, holding the Gauchos to just three goals, posting shutouts in the second and fourth quarters. Goalie Elise Ponce made nine saves in the start.

With a 3-1 lead at the break, the Lions broke-out for a four-goal third to take a 7-3 lead. The defense then shutdown any comeback as Ponce made four of her saves in the quarter.

Mary Ann Campos had three goals, while Daisy Carrillo and Diana Romero had two each.

In the final game, Occidental scored with over five minutes to play in the second quarter to cut the Lions lead to 3-2 at the break.

From there it was all Lions.

The defense posted back-to-back shutouts and cut the Tigers off the board for the next 21 minutes while scoring 12 unanswered goals to win going away down the stretch.

Freshman Alexandra Honny led the Lions with three goals while Ponce had eight saves while allowing just five goals in the two games.

The Lions will continue a long homestand when they host the 2011 LMU Invitaitonal March 18-19. The tournament will feature 16 games in the two days, all at the Burns Center. Follow the action at the Tournament Central.