BERKELEY, Calif. — LMU (0-4-0) was narrowly defeated by the University of California (1-2-2) 2-1 on Saturday at Edwards Stadium.
Emma Gustad Myklebust scored the only goal for the Lions in the match, finding the net with her sole shot attempt. This marked Myklebust's fourth career goal as a Lion.
JJ Hoover was active in goal, making seven saves to keep the team in contention.
Sarah Melcher contributed with an assist, marking her first point as a Lion, by setting up the team's lone goal.
The first half began with
Alaina Lee testing California's goalkeeper, Alyssa Savig, early with a shot in the 3rd minute, but Savig made the save to keep the match scoreless. Lee found some space near the back post and tried to head a ball back across the goal but Savig was up to the save.
Hoover matched this effort by stopping a shot from Annamarie Williams in the 14th minute.
Despite the Lions maintaining pressure and earning a corner in the 14th minute, California found the breakthrough in the 34th minute when Miriam Hils, assisted by Emelia Warta, scored to put the home team ahead. The half concluded with the Lions trailing 1-0.
Lucrezia Sasso and
Cameron Bourne each tested the California goalkeeper early in the second half, but their attempts were denied. Hoover remained solid for the Lions, making key saves to keep the score level.
The Lions gained momentum with a significant moment in the 67th minute when Myklebust capitalized on a corner, assisted by Melcher, to equalize the score at 1-1.
California quickly responded with Elhom Khursand converting a penalty kick, regaining the lead.
The match concluded as California took the 2-1 victory. Notably, all four games this season for the Lions have been decided by a single goal.
Looking ahead, LMU will face UC Riverside on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. PT at Sullivan Field. This matchup presents an opportunity for the Lions to strengthen their performance early in the season.
