The Loyola Marymount University Lions men's soccer team (0-1-0) welcomed the No. 16 Virginia Tech Hokies to Sullivan Field for the first time and dropped a hard-fought match to begin the 2019 campaign 2-1.
 
Lions Head Coach Paul Krumpe, in his 22^ndseason at the helm, had his team primed and ready to contend with one of the nation's best clubs. 
 
The scoring started early as LMU conceded a goal in the first minute of the contest when the Hokies Jakob Bluemler squirted the ball past starting goalkeeper Alfredo Cortez to put the Lions in a 1-0 deficit.
 
After conceding the goal the Lions went on the offensive the rest of the half, putting together seven shots, compared to the Hokies three but couldn't get the equalizer as the first half came to a close.
 
The Lions came up with the equalizer in the 68^thminute as Jack Sauls, LMU's second-leading goal scorer from a year ago, put one in the back of the net from the assist of Bastien Oberli. With the score knotted at one LMU had a chance to put another goal on the board but Sauls shot was saved by the Hokies goalie keeping the score tied at one apiece.
 
LMU went toe-to-toe with Virginia Tech the remainder of the match but in the 89^thminute the Hokies found the back of the net pushing them to a 2-1 victory over the Lions.
 
The Lions gave Virginia Tech all they could handle and more, edging the Hokies in shots (15-9) and corners (6-2). The Lions put together a second half surge that included eight shots but couldn't capitalize on the extra opportunities.
 
The Lions are back in action a week from tonight when they take on Oral Roberts at Sullivan Field on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m.