STOCKTON, Calif. - Megan Rucker scored an "Olimpico" goal,
Jennessa Groves added onto her career tally and the Lions went to Stockton, Calif. and knocked off Pacific 2-0 in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams on Saturday night.
The Lions once again held their opposition scoreless as they posted their second straight clean sheet. Goalkeeper
JJ Hoover has now accumulated four shutouts on the season, matching her total from 2023. The sophomore was mostly kept upright on Saturday night, only being asked to make a single save against the Tigers attack.
The Lions only needed one goal and they got a pair.
Rucker opened the scoring with one of the rarest feats in soccer, an "Olimpico" goal. After winning a corner midway through the first half, Rucker lined up her favorite left foot and drilled a dangerous cross into the penalty area. The trajectory of the ball carried it into the goal and the Tigers could only flail as they attempted to keep the ball out of the net. Rucker has now scored in two straight matches and has three goals for the season.
Groves scored her fourth goal of the season after a nice passing sequence and a little bit of luck and good positioning.
Callan Harrington made a darting run through the backline and was found with a nicely weighted ball from Rucker. Harrington took two dribbles before crossing across the face of goal to Groves who missed on the initial strike.
Ava Mathieson was waiting on the other side of the box and played a ball right to Groves' feet to which she tapped in. She has now scored 11 goals in her Lions career, moving her closer to the Lions record book.
LMU has now won five in a row for the first time since 2015 when the team won six straight. The longest win streak in school history is nine which was set in 2009.
LMU heads back on the road for a midweek matchup against Saint Mary's on Wednesday, Oct. 2 before welcoming Washington State to Sullivan Field on Saturday, Oct. 5. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+ and tickets for Saturday's matchup with the Cougars are available on LMULions.com.
