STOCKTON, Calif. – Graduate transfer midfielder Elie Bokota and sophomore defender Civan de Jesus Ferreira each found the back of the net for the first time in their LMU careers, powering the Lions to a commanding 3-0 victory over Pacific at Knoles Field Friday afternoon to open West Coast Conference play in emphatic fashion. 

The Lions improved to 5-3-2 overall and 1-0-0 in WCC action, while the Tigers fell to 2-7-0 (0-1-0 WCC) in a match that showcased LMU's balanced attack and suffocating defense. Goalkeeper Philip Hovers recorded his second shutout of the season with two saves, anchoring a Lions defense that limited Pacific to just six shots. 

Bokota opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 15th minute, converting a beautiful team move that involved assists from Diego Lopez-Rosales and Anthony Boyadjian. Lopez-Rosales showed remarkable unselfishness in front of the six-yard box, opting to lay off a pass to the wide-open Bokota rather than attempt a shot himself. The goal marked the graduate transfer's first LMU strike and gave the Lions the early advantage they would never relinquish. 

LMU doubled their lead early in the second half when de Jesus Ferreira found his first goal as a Lion in the 50th minute, finishing off a well-worked corner kick sequence with an assist from Wawa Palga. The sophomore defender's maiden goal came at the perfect moment, extending the Lions' advantage and effectively putting the match out of reach. 

The scoring was capped by a brilliant individual effort from Lopez-Rosales, who tallied his fourth goal of the season in the 90th minute. As Pacific desperately pushed forward from a corner kick in search of their first goal, the Lions caught them on the break, with Nathan Rodrigues providing the assist for Lopez-Rosales to apply the finishing touch on what was essentially icing on the cake. 

LMU controlled proceedings throughout, limiting Pacific's most dangerous player, Luca Baltzer, to four shots but only two on target. The Lions' defensive discipline was evident as they absorbed Pacific's second-half pressure while maintaining their attacking threat on the counter-attack. 

The victory represents the perfect start to conference play for LMU, who have now positioned themselves as early contenders in the competitive WCC race. With talents like Bokota and de Jesus Ferreira announcing themselves on the conference stage, the Lions appear well-equipped for the challenges ahead, including their next test against nationally ranked Portland on Saturday, October 4th at home – a match that will go a long way toward deciding how the WCC shakes out.