LMU goalkeeper Jason Jackson was named WCC player of the week for recording his fifth and sixth straight shutouts. (LMU Athletics)
Two more shutouts in a tie and a win last week made the Loyola Marymount University men's soccer team unbeaten and unscored upon in its last six games.
In their first road match of the year, the Lions (5-1-1) played to a 0-0 draw with UC Riverside Sept. 19. Goalkeeper Jacob Jackson set school records with his fifth straight shutout and 470 straight scoreless minutes while making five saves, but the Highlanders were equally stingy, turning away nine LMU shots on goal.
The Lions (ranked 21st nationally by Top Drawer Soccer) had better success on Sept. 22 at Cal State Northridge in a 2-0 victory over the No. 23 Matadors. Junior Narciso Cervantes broke the scoreless tie in the 34th minute, assisted by Nick Dauchot, then collected an assist 15 minutes later on Duhaney Williams’ second goal of the season.
Jackson, meanwhile, saved five shots on goal in his sixth straight shutout, running his scoreless minutes streak to 560. His performance earned him West Coast Conference player of the week honors.
This week, the Lions travel to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (3-3) on Sept. 26 where their opponents will include Enrique Bustamante, a transfer from LMU. On Sept. 29, LMU travels south to play No. 14 Cal State Fullerton (7-0), whose roster includes three former Cathedral HS players — junior Irving Arvizu, sophomore Edward Salazar and freshman Dylan Robinson — as well as former Servite star Oscar Flores.
Still looking for their first win, the Lions (0-7-2) play at Seattle University Sept. 26 before starting West Coast Conference play Oct. 5 at home against Pacific.
Last week at Sullivan Field, LMU and Cal State Fullerton were scoreless until the Titans drove home a goal at the 81-minute mark to earn a 1-0 win.
On Sept. 22, LMU scored twice but UC Santa Barbara came out on top 4-2. The Gauchos’ Shaelan Murison scored three times before the Lions broke through 67th minute on a goal by sophomore Sydney Schultz, assisted by Amber McCorkle and Jamie Flacco.
LMU cut the lead to 3-2 six minutes later when junior Olivia LaCasto (Rosary HS) scored her first of the year, assisted by Flacco. But despite intense pressure, the Lions couldn’t get the equalizer, and the Gauchos scored in the final second.