Sept. 17, 2015 2015 Schedule | BUY SEASON TICKETS! | Give to LMU Athletics | LMU on Facebook |
LOS ANGELES - LMU men's soccer heads back out on the road this week, traveling to Albuquerque, N.M., to take part in the TLC Heating and Plumbing Invitational, hosted by New Mexico. The Lions open play on Friday, Sept. 18 against American University at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. PT). Play concludes Sunday, Sept. 20 with LMU taking on Missouri State at 12 p.m. local (11 a.m. PT).
After going 1-1 last week, including a 3-2 victory at CSU Bakersfield and a 2-1 setback against then No. 21 New Mexico, the Lions enter this week at 5-1-0 overall. They moved up two spots in each of the two major national polls they are ranked in, now coming in at No. 17 in this week's TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 25 and No. 18 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll.
Their first opponent of the weekend, American, is also ranked, coming in at No. 21 in this week's NSCAA national poll.
FOLLOW THE LIONS
LMU vs American (at New Mexico) - Friday, Sept. 18 @ 4:00 p.m. MT (3:00 p.m. PT) - Albuquerque, N.M.
Live Stats
LMU vs Missouri State (at New Mexico) - Sunday, Sept. 20 @ 12:00 p.m. MT (11:00 a.m. PT) - Albuquerque, N.M.
Live Stats
LION NOTES
• The Lions opened the season with five straight wins for the first time in program history.
• They suffered their first setback of the season on Sept. 13, dropping a 2-1 decision to then No. 21 ranked New Mexico.
• The Lions ran off a program record 405:40 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal this season. The overall streak dated back to Nov. 4, 2014 and totaled 529:36 minutes. The streak was finally snapped on Sept. 11 at Bakersfield when the Roadrunners found the back of the net 40 seconds into the second half.
• Alvaro Madrigal and Grant Sampson are tied for the team lead with three goals each. Madrigal has scored once in each of the Lions' last two matches. The sophomore also has a pair of assists for a team-high eight points.
• Paul Blanchette was named WCC Player of the Week for Sept. 7 after being credited with a pair of shutouts at Harvard and Boston College last week. The senior goalkeeper also contributed the assist on Grant Sampson's game-winner at BC, the second assist of his career.
• Paul Blanchette's shutout at Boston College on Sunday was the 15th of his career, breaking the all-time LMU record of 14, held by Jerad Bailey (1997-00).
• In just two-plus seasons, Adrien Perez is climbing the ranks of LMU's career scoring records. With 17 goals thus far, Perez ranks tied for sixth all-time at LMU. The Lion record is 46, set by Arturo Torres (1999-02). In second is Kevin Novak with 23 (2000-03).
• Sophomore Grant Sampson scored twice in the Lions 2-0 shutout of UNLV on Aug. 30 and tallied the game-winner at Boston College on Sept. 6. His three goals through four matches already surpasses his season total of two from his rookie season.
• Junior midfielder Adrien Perez was named to the 2015 All-WCC Preseason Team.
• LMU was picked fourth in the West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
• The Lions return 16 letterwinners and nine total starters from last year's squad that went 9-4-6 overall.
• The 2014 Lions matched the program record for fewest losses, most unbeaten matches and goals against average.
• In addition to 11 newcomers, LMU also welcomes back redshirt-senior John McFarlin, who was sidelined in 2014 with a knee injury. When last on the pitch, McFarlin finished the 2013 season ranked in a tie for third nationally in assists per game (0.61) and tied for fourth with 11 total assists. • McFarlin enteed the season with 18 career assists and sits three shy of the LMU record of 21, held by Arturo Torres (1999-02).
SERIES HISTORY VS AMERICAN
This marks just the second all-time meeting between LMU and American. The only previous meeting was a 3-2 win for the Lions in 2004 at the Matador Soccer Invitational in Northridge, Calif.
ABOUT THE EAGLES
American enters the week ranked No. 21 by the NSCAA and carry a 5-1-0 overall record. The Eagles opened the 2015 season by winning five straight, including three straight shutouts against Howard, Penn and Hofstra. They suffered their first loss on Sept. 13, falling 4-3 to Fairleigh Dickinson. American has scored 20 goals in just six matches, including four by Joel Hard and three each from Vinny Barone and Michael Cherry. Liam Robley has eight assists. In goal, Dylan Hobert has played the majority of minutes, making 20 saves and holding a 1.07 GAA.
SERIES HISTORY VS MISSOURI STATE
This marks the first meeting between LMU and Missouri State.
ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Missouri State enters the week at 1-1-2 overall and will face New Mexico on Friday before taking on LMU Sunday. The Bearcats went three straight matches without scoring a goal to open the season, including two double overtime scoreless draws, before clinching a 1-0 overtime win against Saint Mary's on Sept. 11. The team's lone goal came from the feet to James Rutledge. The Bearcats have only allowed two goals as goalkeeper Liam Priestley has six saves and a 0.44 GAA.
 | =""> Support LMU's 22 intercollegiate teams and it's student-athletes through scholarships and team support.
Together WE ARE LMU Lions... join the pride today:
Join the Lions Athletic Fund | This is LMU
|
