The Lions will face both San Francisco and Santa Clara while supporting great causes at home this week. In their Salute to Service match, the Lions will meet the Dons at 7 pm on Thursday, Jan. 10. Then, the team will be raising awareness for pancreatic cancer as they take on the Broncos on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 pm. 

The USF Dons are 5-9 overall this season and 1-2 in conference. Last week, USF fell to Santa Clara in overtime after the two teams tied regulation play at 60 points a piece. The Dons opened conference play a week before with a win against San Diego and a loss to BYU. This weekend's matches against LMU and Pepperdine will be the first conference road trip for the Dons. San Francisco has the #3 scoring offense in the WCC, with an average of 73 points a game, and the Dons have the second best field goal percentage in the conference. Their great offense is led by senior Shannon Powell who averages 17 points a game. 

In their match against the Dons, the Lions will be honoring current and former service members and first responders. All active, retired, and reserved military personnel will attend the game for free and ticket purchases will be donated to support service members and their families. Additionally, the first 100 fans in attendance will receive a special LMU camouflage hat to commemorate the match. 

The Santa Clara team had a strong non-conference run, going 7-4, but have not had the conference start they imagined at 1-2. Their last match against USF was their second overtime win of the year and first conference victory. Before that, the Broncos lost both their conference opening matches to San Diego and BYU. The Santa Clara team is led by Junior Tia Hay who has 200 points on the season. 

The game between LMU and Santa Clara will be played in honor of the late Lisa Velasco, mother of seniors Andee Velasco and Bianca Velasco. The Lions will be raising awareness for pancreatic cancer during the game by wearing purple shoelaces and ribbons. At halftime, LMU will be recognizing pancreatic cancer survivors and those who are currently fighting pancreatic cancer. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive purple LMU rally towels. Speaking on the game, Head Coach Charity Elliott says, "This game will always hold a special place in our hearts because of the courage, hope and love that exemplified Lisa Velasco's life and now lives on in Andee and Bianca.  We will always do all that we can to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer in honor of the entire Velasco family and what they mean to this program."

Following these two important games, the Lions will head to Malibu to play rival Pepperdine in round one of the always exciting PCH cup. The match will take place next Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 pm.