SANTA CLARA, Calif. — LMU lost to Santa Clara 2-0 on Saturday night in Santa Clara, Calif. 

The Lions fell behind in the ninth minute when Niv Berkovitz scored for Santa Clara off assists from Diego Jalleau and Moises Almontes, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. Earlier, Adrian Alvarez put the Lions' first chance on frame in the fifth minute, but Jackson Ozburn made the save. Ky Mani Dade answered Santa Clara's next shot on goal with a save on Bradley Roberson at 9:39, and the Lions later added attempts from Nacho Macias and Alvarez while trying to find an equalizer. Fritz Engel forced another Ozburn save in the 40th minute, but the Lions entered halftime trailing 1-0.

Santa Clara scored the only goal of the second half on Diego Jalleau's penalty kick in the 69th minute, while the Lions generated five shots and three corners after halftime. Earlier, Nacho Macias put a shot on frame in the 48th minute, and Anthony Boyadjian forced another save in the 61st before Fritz Engel followed with two second-half attempts. Dade kept the Lions within reach with a save on Moises Almontes in the 78th minute after Santa Clara had added pressure with a corner.

The Lions pushed late with corners in the 86th and 90th minutes, followed by a Samir-Mohamed Djeha shot at 90:00, but Santa Clara closed out the match with a 2-0 final score.

Up next, the Lions soccer team hosts Seattle U on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. at Sullivan Field.