After a challenging non-conference schedule, the Loyola Marymount University women’s soccer team opened the West Coast Conference season with twin shutouts in Northern California last weekend, good for a tie and a win.
The Lions’ trip began with a double-overtime scoreless tie at St. Mary’s Sept. 28, as LMU goalkeeper Charlee Pruitt made four saves over the 110 minutes, while LMU outshot the Gaels 10-9.
Having been blanked themselves in five of their last six games, the Lions finally erupted on offense Sept. 30 with a 4-0 win over Pacific. Sarina Bolden scored twice while Jackie Fiacco and Jenna Lafferty added a goal apiece, Skylar Robledo tallied three assists (tying a school record), and Pruitt and Lee Erickson combined for five saves in goal.
Bolden began the scoring in the 10th minute on a pass from Ali King, then Flacco converted with seconds remaining before halftime on assists from Robledo and Sydney Schultz. In the 66th minute, Bolden scored again (her team-high fourth of the year), courtesy of Robledo and Emma Tyrnauer, and Lafferty ended the scoring in the 80th minute on Robledo’s third assist (tying the mark held by Cindy Carullo, Jessica Lyon and Julie Gallaudet).
"We had a team meeting last night and talked about needing to get goals," said coach Michelle Myers. "It was nice to score today and finish those chances."
The Lions (3-6-4 overall, 1-0-1 WCC) return home to Sullivan Field for three straight WCC matches: Santa Clara on Oct. 5, San Francisco on Oct. 7, and San Diego on Oct. 13.
LMU’s men’s soccer team lost a 1-0 battle to Cal State Fullerton Sept. 27. Christian Pinzon tallied in the 54th minute for the Titans, whose roster includes former Cathedral HS stars Irving Arvizu and Edward Salazar, and Servite alum Oscar Flores.
Mike Nelson is the former editor of the Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).
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