LMU Soccer: Lions fall to Gaels in WCC decider, 2-0

A rugged battle in Moraga between the West Coast Conference’s top two men's soccer teams ended with St. Mary’s downing Loyola Marymount University 2-0 to clinch the WCC title Nov. 9.

Goals early and late – in the 12th and 88th minutes of play – were decisive for 11th-ranked St. Mary’s (15-1 overall, 6-0 WCC). The Lions managed just a single shot on net, from team-leading goal-scorer Duhaney Williams midway in the second half, that was turned away. 

LMU (10-5-3 overall, 5-1 in WCC) concludes the regular season Nov. 15 at San Francisco. St. Mary’s, which clinched its second straight WCC title by beating LMU, hosts Portland.

Women’s Soccer

LMU’s women’s team ended its season at 4-12-3 (3-5-1 in the WCC) following a double overtime tie at home with Portland and a lopsided loss to fourth-ranked BYU. 

Nov. 6 vs. Portland: Maki Kono’s third goal of the season – a penalty kick conversion in the 74th minute – earned the Lions a 1-1 draw that 20 minutes of overtime couldn’t undo at Sullivan Field. A “hand” ball in the box was called on a Portland defender, allowing Kono to take and make the shot that knotted the score after the Pilots took a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute.

Nov. 9 at BYU: The unbeaten Cougars scored in the fourth and fifth minutes before LMU’s Sydney Schultz scored at 6:34, her second of the season. Then BYU took a 5-1 lead by halftime and never looked back, winning 8-1. BYU took 30 shots, forcing 10 saves by LMU goalkeepers Sadie Kenny and Lee Erickson.