LOS ANGELES – Jai Smith scored her team-leading seventh point of the season, and Jennessa Groves used a deft finish to score the opener as the Lions defeated San Diego 2-1 on Saturday night at Sullivan Field.  

 

The Toreros were the first to score, but the Lions equalized mere moments later.  

 

Helen Schaefer played a spectacular through ball over the top to a speeding Groves. Groves took a few touches, then used a quick right foot to go underneath the sliding goalkeeper to knot things at one. The Lions trailed for only 23 seconds. 

 

Just ten minutes later, the Lions got the game-winner from Smith.  

 

Megan Rucker drove in a dangerous cross that the San Diego backline attempted to clear, but Smith blocked the clearance right into a shooting position. She corkscrewed and fired a left-footed effort that the goalkeeper got fingertips on. The fingertips were not enough as the ball caromed off the goalpost and over the line for her third tally of the season.  

 

Makiya Christensen also provided a pair of dangerous shots in the first half. In the 36th minute, the Torero goalkeeper spilled a clearance to Christensen who fired a shot that was deflected out for a corner kick. On the ensuing corner kick, the clearance fell to Christensen, who chested the ball down and fired a dipping shot that looked destined for the back of the net. The Torero goalkeeper made a diving save to keep the deficit to one.  

 

The Lions took a one-goal lead into halftime and had a few chances after the break to increase their advantage.  

 

Smith almost had goal number two in the 69th minute. After taking a perfectly weighted pass from Olivia Winter, Smith fired a low strike that was punched away by the Torero goalkeeper.  

 

Alex Hobbs's long-distance shot in the 83rd minute forced a diving save from the San Diego goalkeeper as well. After pressing the Toreros into a turnover, the Lions used a quick counter to give Hobbs some space outside the 18-yard box, and she curled a shot that forced a diving one-handed save from the Torero goalkeeper.  

 

When all was said and done, the Lions had forced ten saves from San Diego and notched 18 total shots. 

 

The Lions will return to the pitch in the reverse fixture against the Toreros on Wednesday, October 3, this time at Torero Stadium in San Diego.   

 

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