Oct. 5, 2012

Box Score

2012 Schedule | Buy Tickets | LMU on Facebook | LMU on Twitter

LOS ANGELES - The LMU men's soccer team picked up three big West Coast Conference points Friday as a goal by Sean Sears in the 101st minute snapped a 1-1 tie and sent the Lions' bench racing onto the field in celebration of a 2-1 win over visiting Gonzaga.

The Lions improve to 3-6-2 overall and 1-1-1 in WCC play while the Bulldogs fall to 4-6-0 overall and remain winless in conference play at 0-3-0.

Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the Zags brought some fire in the first overtime period, including a pair of shots on goal by Casey Ames and Nikolai Littleton. But LMU goalkeeper Paul Blanchettecame up with a pair of saves in the period, sending the match into a second 10-minute golden goal overtime period.

The Lions quickly pushed their way into Gonzaga's end of the field and a foul just outside the right side of the box set up a free kick for LMU. John McFarlin lofted the ball into the box where Connor Gillheaded it back out to Sears to one-touch into the back of the net.

LMU took a 1-0 lead at the 22:11 mark when McFarlin netted his first goal of the season. Bryce Bacic worked the ball up the right flank and sent a short pass in to Jack McCracken. Unable to turn towards the goal, McCracken knocked the ball back out to Bacic who one touched a long pass to the center top of the box for McFarlin. The sophomore then touched the ball to his left foot and sent a hard shot into the net.

Gonzaga's Clark Phillips tied the score in the 62nd minute when an LMU foul just outside the top left corner of the box set up a free kick for the Zags. Littleton sent a long ball right to the center of the goalmouth where Phillips headed it past Blanchette for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Blanchette finished with fives saves on Gonzaga's 13 shots while Bulldog keeper Keane Ellis made eight saves as LMU totaled a season-high 22 shots. The Lions also held an 8-2 corner kick advantage.

LMU will look to make it two in a row on Sunday, hosting Portland in a 3 p.m. kick off at Sullivan Field.