RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Tyger Smalls got on the scoresheet twice to bring the Lions back from a first-half deficit in a 2-2 draw with California Baptist on Saturday night in Riverside, Calif.  

 

The Lions were hit fast in the first half, as the Lancers notched a pair of goals just minutes apart. 15 minutes into the game, LMU was down 2-0. 

 

Lewis Clutton and Ryan Kingsford continued to be offensive catalysts for the Lions, both notching multiple shots in the first half.  

 

Braden Fidelak once again displayed his long shot ability with a screaming effort in the 7th minute of the match. After the ball was slid across the top of the box, Fidelak got his laces through it and lined a low, hard shot that was deflected by the goalkeeper. 

 

The engine in the midfield that is Okeefe Cunningham continued to motor around the pitch and be in all kinds of action. His ability to link the play, intercept errant passes and generate offense was obvious to all watching. He nearly netted a goal in the first half on a powerful right-footed effort in the 28th minute.  

The Lions regrouped and dominated the second half.  

 

After maintaining a steady diet of the possession, Cunningham slid an inch-perfect ball through to Smalls running past the backline. Smalls calmly slotted home past the goalkeeper to cut the deficit in half.  

 

The momentum continued to build with the Lions registering shots from Kingsford and Anthony Wilson before the tying goal came.  

 

Smalls carried the ball forward before laying off to Kingsford on the wing. Kingsford went to feed the ball to Smalls who had slipped on the grass but recovered in time to tap in and send the Lions sideline into a frenzy.  

 

LMU continued to put the pressure on and thought they had an opportunity to win in the 89th minute when Smalls was fouled in the box.  

 

Kingsford stepped up to take the penalty but was denied.  

 

The clock was stopped after a foul with two seconds left and an opportunity for the Lancers to score from a free kick, but the Lions wall blocked the attempt and led to the end of the game. 

 

The Lions remain unbeaten in 2023 and will put that streak to the test on Wednesday, September 6 against UC Davis in the home opener. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. (PT) and will be streamed live on ESPN+. 

 

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