Box Score SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The LMU women's soccer team opened the season on the road against UC Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, Calif. on Thursday night. LMU fell 2-0 to the Gauchos.
True freshman
JJ Hoover opened the season between the posts after the departure of All-WCC Honorable Mention
Amanda Delgado. Hoover showed poise in the first half as the Gauchos looked to attack, catching a handful of crosses and communicating well with the Lions back line.
Jai Smith and Amber McCorkle looked lively on the attack in the first half, both creating scoring chances. Smith's chance came after an outlet pass found her with loads of open space. She drove at the Gaucho back line and a heroic tackle was all that stood between her and the goal. McCorkle and the attackers ratcheted up the pressure as the half pressed on, with the senior finding space after a turnover and ripping a shot on the half volley.
The Gauchos did find the back of the net with one second left in the half to take a lead into halftime.
UCSB came out in the second half and scored in the 46th minute to double their advantage.
The Lions looked for a way back in the game after Missouri transfer Kylie Dobbs found herself in the box in the 76th minute, but her attempt to pull the ball across the danger area was blocked on the way in.
Smith had a second chance in the 86th minute, finding some space on the right side of the box. She laced a curling shot that the Gaucho goalkeeper made a stretching save on.
The Lions final shot came from Kansas transfer Olivia Winter. In the 88th minute, she found some space outside the box and curled a ball on target at the near post.
The Lions will be back on the pitch for the home opener against No. 17 Georgetown on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. (PT).
