LOS ANGELES – The LMU women's soccer team opened conference play with a 3-1 home win on Saturday over University of the Pacific. The Lions (2-7-2, 1-0-0 WCC) scored three first half goals to extend their win streak and topple the Tigers (3-8-0, 0-1-0 WCC).
 
"We have a lot of young players playing some big minutes for us this season, said Head Coach Michelle Myers. "I think anytime they can score goals, get their confidence up, and walk away with the feeling that they can do this is what we want. It was nice to see three of those goals being second effort type of goals. We talked about being better at reading those second balls and being aggressive in our box, so I was happy with those goals and the way we scored them.
 
The Lions jumped out the gate wasting no time. Gabriella Marchall scored a goal less than five and a half minutes into the game. Indirectly off a corner kick, Marchall gave LMU an early lead as the freshman scored the first of her career.
 
Off their fourth corner kick in the first nine minutes, LMU again played a dangerous ball into the box before after some congestion, Amber McCorkle finally slotted it into the back of the net to double the lead at the 9:48 mark. The Lions would total five first half corner kicks and six total in the game.
 
In the final minutes of the first half, Siarfo Abekah benefitted from inside-the-box assists from Gabbie McWilliams and Sydney Schultz to take a 3-0 lead heading into the final five mintutes before intermission.
 
LMU took six of their 15 shots in the second half, but were unable to add to the lead. Pacific cut into their deficit with a lone goal in the 83^rd minute.
 
"I think both those wins were key for us mentally at this stage of the game," said Myers. "I told the girls, we are taking it one game at a time, but it's great to start off conference with a win."
 
West Coast Conference action continues on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. from San Francisco. The Lions are back at Sullivan Field on Sunday, Oct. 13 to host Pepperdine in the PCHCup.