The LMU soccer team — shown celebrating a goal — carries a four-match win streak (all shutouts) into this week’s matches. (LMU ATHLETICS)
Proving again that there is no place like home, the Loyola Marymount University men's soccer team posted dual shutout wins over the weekend at Sullivan Field.
In a 3-0 win over Sacramento State Sept. 13, senior midfielder Brandon Sanchez from Santa Barbara led the way, scoring one goal and assisting on the other two. Sophomore goalie Jacob Jackson from Escondido made five saves to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
In the 39th minute, Sanchez sent a pass to sophomore Danny Garcia from Gardena, who drove home his first goal of the year that proved to be enough. Sanchez then scored unassisted in the 48th minute, and set up junior Duhaney Williams for his first goal of the season in the 55th minute.
On Sept. 15, Jackson and the Lions (4-1) notched their fourth straight whitewash with a 1-0 decision over UC Davis. Jackson made three saves in goal, and Francis Avoce scored in the eighth minute of play, his second goal of the season, for the game’s lone tally.
The Lions take to the road this week with matches Sept. 19 at UC Riverside and Sept. 22 at Cal State Northridge. Former local Catholic high school players on Riverside’s roster include Ronaldo Lomeli (Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks), David Cabral (Bishop Amat), Seth Burum (Loyola) and Carlos Gonzalez (Mater Dei); the Northridge roster includes Khalid Hunter (Chaminade) and former LMU players Paul Lewis and Kris Fourcand.
Playing in the Cougar Cup in Pullman, Wash., the LMU women’s team (0-5-2) lost a pair of matches over the weekend, 3-1 to Texas Tech and 2-1 to Washington State.
Against Tech on Sept. 13, the Lions fell behind 2-0 before Siarfo Abekah finished a crossing pass from Skylar Robledo for her first career goal with 20 minutes to play. But the Red Raiders scored with five minutes left to seal the win.
On Sept. 15, the Lions battled the host Cougars (5-1), ranked No. 13 nationally, and — after allowing a third minute goal — tied the game 1-1 barely five minutes later when Jalyn Lupo passed to Maki Kono who tallied her second goal of the season.
Washington State broke the tie in the 21st minute and held on to win, though LMU goalie Sadie Kenny made five saves and kept the Cougars scoreless in the final 67 minutes.
LMU returns home for games this week at Sullivan Field against Cal State Fullerton Sept. 19 (7 p.m.) and UC Santa Barbara Sept. 22 (1 p.m.). The UCSB roster includes Kearra Bastes-Jones (Bishop Amat), Lynsee Voss (Chaminade), Cate Post (Notre Dame Academy) and Elizabeth Ramirez (Santa Margarita).