LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Forward Kylie Dobbs capped off a remarkable week by converting a crucial penalty kick in the 67th minute, leading LMU women's soccer to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Oregon State at Sullivan Field Sunday afternoon. The win marked Dobbs' second game-winning goal in three days and extended the Lions' perfect start to conference play.
The Lions improved to 5-2-1 overall and 2-0-0 in West Coast Conference action, while the Beavers dropped to 1-5-4 (0-2-0 WCC) in a hard-fought battle that showed there was little between the two teams. Goalkeeper JJ Hoover made four crucial saves to secure her fifth victory of the season and help LMU maintain their unbeaten conference record.
Forward Callan Harrington opened the scoring in the 16th minute with her fourth goal of the season, finishing brilliantly at the near post into the roof of the net. The goal came courtesy of an excellent feed from midfielder Cameron Bourne, who recorded her second assist of the season with a perfectly weighted pass that split the Oregon State defense.
Oregon State answered just before halftime when midfielder Adele Schwab found the equalizer in the 41st minute, converting from close range off an assist from Avery Pleiman following a corner kick sequence. The goal sent both teams into the break deadlocked at 1-1 and set up a tense second half.
The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when the Lions were awarded a penalty kick following a foul in the box. Dobbs stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home for her second goal in three days, having also scored the game-winner in her season debut against San Francisco earlier in the week.
The Lions' defensive unit showed tremendous grit throughout the match, with defenders
Emma Gustad Myklebust and
Caitlyn McCulloch displaying the toughness and resilience that has become the hallmark of this LMU squad. The pair neutralized Oregon State's attacking threats while providing a solid foundation for the Lions' own offensive forays.
In the midfield, Alaina Lee orchestrated play with exceptional vision and tenacity, controlling possession while threading passes to both flanks with precision. Her fearless tackles and ability to win back possession in crucial moments proved invaluable as the Lions weathered Oregon State's second-half pressure while creating dangerous counter-attacking opportunities.
The victory puts the Lions at the top of the WCC standings in a tie with Pepperdine. It also sets up a showdown with Saint Mary's on Saturday, October 4th at Sullivan Field as the Gaels are unbeaten in conference play with a win and a draw.
