Nov. 15, 2014 Final Stats
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LOS ANGELES - Senior Sebastian De Rada found the back of the net in the 57th minute to lead LMU men's soccer to a Senior Day win over West Coast Conference champion San Diego, 1-0, Saturday night at Sullivan Field.
Unbeaten in their final five outings, the Lions close out the 2014 season with a 9-4-6 overall record and 3-1-3 WCC mark, good for fourth place. The Toreros, who clinched the WCC crown and NCAA Tournament bid last week, close out the regular-season with a 10-5-4 mark and 6-1-0 WCC record.
The Lions began the night by honoring their senior class of Bryce Bacic, Sebastian De Rada, Ryan Felix, David Flores, Connor Hunsicker, Jack McCracken, Craig Nitti and Dylan Seedman. With all healthy seniors in the starting lineup, LMU pressured early, but the two sides went into the break in a scoreless tie.
De Rada would go on the break the ice in the 57th minute, drawing a one-on-one opportunity with USD goalkeeper Thomas Olsen. In just two passes, the Lions moved the ball the full length of the field, beginning with a Mark Dotseth header out of LMU's own 18.
Adrien Perez picked up the cleared ball and carried it up the left flank before sending a through ball towards the top of the USD box for De Rada. Slicing through the Toreros' back line De Rada found himself facing only Olsen, who was forced to come off his line to contest the shot. De Rada chipped the ball over and to the right of a diving Olsen for the 1-0 LMU advantage.
Outshooting the Toreros 12-3 in the second half, the Lions held on for their ninth shutout of the season, tying the all-time program record which was set in 2002.
