FULLERTON, Calif. — LMU (0-3-0) fell to Cal State Fullerton (1-1-1) 2–1 on Sunday at Titan Stadium.
JJ Hoover recorded seven saves, a season high, facing 23 shots in a full 90-minute performance.
Taylor Person registered her first assist of the season.
Cameron Bourne scored their first goal of the season, continuing to look like a dangerous offensive threat, and led the team with five shots, three of which were on target.
The match commenced with the Lions establishing their defensive presence early, as goalkeeper Hoover made a crucial save against a well-aimed shot from the Titans in the 3rd minute. The Titans worked a corner well, but Hoover was in the right spot as she palmed the shot off the free header and kept it from going completely over the line.
Bourne later provided a spark for the Lions with a striking attempt that narrowly missed, hitting the top woodwork in the 16th minute. In the 25th minute,
Sarah Melcher nearly netted her first Lions goal with a header that went just wide. Despite the offensive efforts from LMU, the first half concluded with both teams unable to break the deadlock, leaving the score at 0–0.
The second half began with Cal State Fullerton earning a penalty kick. After initially not calling a handball on the field, the referee awarded the Titans a spot kick after a coach challenge.
LMU responded with an equalizer in the 75th minute when Bourne notched a goal with an assist from Person, leveling the score at 1–1. Person found space on the right side of the pitch and crossed dangerously in front of goal. After a missed clearance, Bourne headed towards goal but was saved by the keeper. She was the first to the spill and pounced for her first goal of the season.
The Titans regained the lead in the 86th minute with a goal from Cassie Villanueva, assisted by Sasha Amezcua and Sail Bozinovic. Despite late attempts from the Lions to respond, including a shot by Person, they were unable to find the back of the net again.
LMU will travel to face Cal on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 3 p.m. in Berkeley, California.
