Oct. 22, 2015 2015 Schedule | Give to LMU Athletics | LMU on Facebook |
LOS ANGELES - Well rested following a 12-day break from competition, the LMU women's soccer team is back on Sullivan Field for a key weekend of West Coast Conference matches. On Friday, the Lions host Portland at 6 p.m., followed by a Sunday meeting with Gonzaga at 2 p.m.
As part of the 2015 Week of Madness at LMU, LMU students who attend Friday's math will receive a free spirit shirt that will gain them fast-pass access into Madness. Doors open at 8 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion for the annual pep rally event.
The Lions enter Friday's match with a 9-4-1 overall record and 3-1-0 WCC mark, which is good for a three-way tie for second. The Pilots are 6-9-0 overall and 2-3-0 in WCC play while the Zags enter the week at 2-8-5 overall and 1-3-1 in league matches.
LMU also enters this week ranked No. 38 in the latest NCAA RPI, jumping 10 spots in the ranking after a 2-1 setback at the No. 25 Santa Clara (Oct. 9) and a 2-0 shutout of San Francisco (Oct. 11). The NCAA RPI is a determining factor in selecting at-large bids into the 64-team NCAA Tournament.
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LMU vs Portland - Friday, Oct. 23 @ 6:00 p.m. - Sullivan Field
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LMU vs Portland - Sunday, Oct. 25 @ 2:00 p.m. - Sullivan Field
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LION NOTES
LMU is in the hunt for its first 10-win season since 2010. In the 23-year history of the program, the Lions have hit 10 wins or more 11 times. The Lions a perfect 7-0-0 this season at Sullivan Field.
LMU opened West Coast Conference play with back-to-back wins for the first time since the 2000 season.
Twelve different Lions have scored at least once this season and 10 players have contributed at least one assist.
Jocelyn Blankenship leads LMU, and is second in the WCC lead with 15 points on six goals and three assists.
Jocelyn Blankenship collected her 17th career assist in the Lions' 2-0 win over Pacific on Oct. 4. She is now one assist away from tying the all-time LMU record of 18, held by Julie Gallaudet (2007-10).
The Lions went unbeaten for seven straight matches between Aug. 28 (a 3-0 shutout of Bucknell) and Sept. 20 (a 2-2 double overtime draw at Utah.
The Lions six-match win streak marking the longest win streak for the program since 2007. That season, they won nine straight matches and went on to finish the year 12-6-1.
Sophomore defender Jill Farley was named WCC Player of the Week on Sept. 14 after playing all 187 minutes in a pair of LMU shutouts. She also scored the overtime game-winner against then No. 21/23 Long Beach State.
LMU's 1-0 OT victory over then No. 21 Long Beach State marked the first win against a ranked opponent since a 3-0 shutout of then No. 15 Pepperdine on Oct. 15, 2012.
The Lions are 2-0-1 in overtime matches this season. That mark extends their streak of remaining unbeaten in overtime to nine matches (spanning two-plus seasons). Their last overtime setback was a 1-0 final against then No. 4 BYU on Nov. 1, 2012.
A 5-1 thumping of Detroit (Sept. 4) marked the highest scoring output for LMU since 2007 when they shutout Lamar University, 9-0.
The home-opening win over Bucknell (Aug. 28) gave the Lions three straight home-opening victories as they also topped Northwestern, 1-0, in 2013 and New Mexico State, 3-1, in 2014.
Senior midfielder Jocelyn Blankenship was named to the 2015 All-WCC Preseason Team.
LMU was picked seventh in the West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Lions went 9-8-2 overall and 2-6-1 in WCC play last season with a young squad that featured just three seniors.
Seniors Morgan Hilby (5g, 6a), Shannon Kent (6g) and Jocelyn Blankenship (6a) return to the pitch after leading LMU in points, goals and assists last fall.
Ten total starters return and 15 total letterwinners while the Lions also welcome nine newcomers and four redshirts.
SERIES HISTORY VS PORTLAND
The Lions will be seeking their first-ever win over the Pilots when the teams meet at Sullivan Field Friday. LMU is 0-21-1 all-time against Portland. The lone draw came at Sullivan Field in the 2006 season. Portland has also held the Lions scoreless since 2001.
ABOUT THE PILOTS
Portland enters Friday's match a 6-9-0 overall and 2-3-0 in the WCC. The Pilots are coming off a 1-0 setback to then No. 19 Santa Clara on Oct. 18. But previous to that, they had won two straight. Cecilia Pedersen leads the Pilots with four goals and two assists for 10 points. Nine total Portland players have scored at least once this year and eight players have contributed an assist. Allison Wetherington leads that category with five helpers. In goal, Hannah De Haan and Rachel Lusby have split time, combining for a 1.44 GAA, 47 saves and three shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY VS GONZAGA
The Lions are 15-5-3 all-time against the Zags. Last fall, LMU snapped a two-match losing streak with a 2-1 win in Spokane, Wash. LMU is 8-2-2 all-time at Sullivan Field.
ABOUT THE ZAGS
Gonzaga enters the week at 2-8-5 overall and 1-3-1 in WCC play. The Zags will face Pepperdine on Friday before traveling to LMU on Sunday. Gonzaga picked up one non-conference win, a 3-1 decision against CSU Bakersfield, and their lone WCC victory was a 2-1 final over San Diego. The Zags have played seven matches into extra time, five of which have resulted in a draw. Karley Beggarly leads the team and the WCC with seven goals. She also has a pair of assists for a WCC-high 16 points.
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