IRVINE, Calif. - Marco Byers-Mora scored again and the defense notched another clean sheet as the LMU men's soccer team defeated UC Irvine 1-0 on Thursday night in Irvine, Calif.
The Anteaters (0-8-1) could muster only a single shot on target, senior goalkeeper Mitchell Wilson handled it to preserve the shutout.
The Lions recorded only their second clean sheet of the season in the victory, in a match that saw eight yellow cards and was a feisty battle throughout.
The first chance for the Lions came in the 33rd minute when Noel Caliskan won a free kick in the attacking half. Byers-Mora stepped up for the kick and curled it too high.
The goal came when Corbin Mercado lofted a diagonal ball that Christian Ortiz headed along right into the path of Byers-Mora. Byers-Mora took a right-footed effort that was parried by the UC Irvine keeper into the net.
It was the first time the Lions have scored in the first half since opening night against SIUE.
The second half saw the Lions holding on to the lead.
They weathered dangerous chances throughout the second half.
In the 53rd minute, the Anteaters nearly equalized, but the ball bounced off the crossbar and was cleared away by Caliskan.
In the 57th minute, Ortiz found some space on the right wing and fired a curling shot from just outside the box that was punched out for a corner by the Irvine keeper.
Byers-Mora is now tied for second on the team with two goals. Ortiz and Mercado each recorded their second assist.
The Lions are back in action Sunday afternoon against Seattle University in Seattle, Wash. That match will begin at 1 p.m. (PT) and will be available on ESPN+.
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