STOCKTON, CA. – The No. 9 Loyola Marymount University Lions opened defense of their West Coast Conference crown on Saturday night and fell for this first time in regulation since the 2019 season with a 1-0 defeat by the Pacific Tigers.
 
LMU hadn't lost in regulation in 2021, going 6-0-3 in the spring and 8-0-1 to begin this season, before tonight's result.
 
The Lions had plenty of opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net with a pair of chances by Noel Caliskan. His header in the 53rd minute drew the offsides flag and his penalty kick try in the 70th minute was saved by the Tigers goalie to keep the Lions scoreless.
 
For the game, the Lions and Tigers each had 12 shots with LMU having the advantage in shots on goal 7-5 while both teams had five corners a piece.
 
Jacob Jackson was superb in net for LMU, turning the Tigers away with four saves, but a late game foul led to a Pacific penalty kick try that turned out to be the difference. 
 
Jackson made an aggressive play in the box and was called for a foul that led to the PK. He almost made the save, guessing the right direction, but the ball sailed over and threw the net for the Tigers.
 
The Lions put four shots up against the Tigers in the final ten minutes looking for the equalizer but none found their target resulting in LMU's first defeat of the season.
 
LMU returns to the pitch for their second conference game of the season when they travel to Spokane, Washington and face Gonzaga University on Saturday, October 9th with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.