LOS ANGELES – The LMU men's soccer team fell to visiting UC Santa Barbara 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Field.Â
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The Lions (2-1-1) scored first through a Noel Caliskan penalty conversion before the Gauchos (2-1-1) grabbed two to walk away with the victory.Â
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The first half saw one of the most exciting plays in soccer: a penalty save. Senior goalkeeper
Mitchell Wilson sprawled to his right to parry away the first attempt before scrambling to cover the ball and keep the match knotted at zero.Â
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Caliskan converted from the spot shortly after the half. Derek Goodman took a pass at the top of the box and attempted to dribble wide but was taken down clumsily by a Gaucho defender. Caliskan stepped up and calmly placed the ball into the top right of the goal to take the lead.Â
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The Gauchos equalized when a low cross ended up in the back of the net from a deflection and then scored again in the 80th minute to take the lead.Â
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The Lions were not without chances, as they managed 19 shots with six on target. Â
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Stefan Reuter continued to be a work horse for the Lions and managed another shot on target in the first half.Â
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Marco Byers-Mora came off the bench to be a thorn in the Gauchos' side, nearly scoring a pair. He has been deployed as the primary sub for
Adam Davie in the 9 position and is used primarily as a target man and should continue to get good looks as he holds up play well and works quickly and calmly with his feet.Â
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The Lions have a pair of away games in the upcoming week. First, on Thursday, Sept. 8 they play at Sacramento State at 4 p.m. (PT). Then they play again on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at UC Davis.Â
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LMU's next home game will be on Sept. 15 against Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. at Sullivan Field. Â
