FULLERTON, Calif. - Ismail Nieves and Kayvon Monfared both scored their first LMU goals but Cal State Fullerton equalized on a penalty in the 89th minute to end Friday night's match in a 2-2 draw at Titan Stadium. 

 

The Lions defense once again displayed strength as they held the Titans scoreless for 87 minutes. They had gone 182 straight minutes without allowing a goal before the Titans broke through on a corner kick in the 88th minute.  

 

LMU built a 2-0 lead on the back of Mydas Smalls and his special passing abilities. Monfared opened and it was due in no small part to Smalls' deft back heel pass to Daniel Idiakhoa. Idiakhoa burst forward after receiving the ball and fired a strike that was saved by the Titan keeper. Monfared stayed alert and cushioned the ball past the sprawling keeper to give the Lions the lead. 

 

Smalls was again instrumental as the Lions scored through Nieves. Smalls received the ball near the midfield circle before breaking towards goal. He used a pair of feints to create some space for Noah Robertson on the left wing. Smalls laid the ball off to Robertson who arced a cross into the far side of the penalty area. Nieves flew in from the backside and easily outleaped his marker, heading the ball past the Titan keeper to give the Lions a two-goal lead. 

 

The Titans drew a corner in the 88th minute and finished at the back post before drawing a penalty moments later. Massimo Oedekoven Pomponi saved the initial penalty shot before the kick taker put it past him.  

 

The Lions will be back at the friendly confines of Sullivan Field on Friday, September 20 to face California Baptist. The match is set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. (PT) and will be streamed on ESPN+.