Womens Soccer Begins!

[sullivanfieldfan]

LMU drop opener to ASU 2-1.

[sullivanfieldfan]

It was a practice/scrimmage so it really doesn't count against the team. They/we get a do over next week at Cal.

After watching the ASU game Cal will be surprised.

[sullivanfieldfan]

The 2-1 loss wasn't that bad. ASU is a solid team. And made it to the NC2As last year

The game could have easily ended in a tie or victory for the Lions.

We missed a P/K for the tie.

Overall we played very well!

[sullivanfieldfan]

A lot of soccer fans showed up yesterday for the scrimmage with ASU. Sure there were a lot of ASU supporters but there were of lot of Lion fans also. It was a good test for both teams and the crowd for LMU should only grow once school begins and the Lions continue their strong play.

I was impressed with the Lions. The team looks stronger than last year and more polished. I wasn't sure that would happen so quickly but it has and can only mean good things for the Lions this year.

In the first half the Lions controlled the ball and pace of the game with little pressure from ASU. The Lions looked cool and confident with returning players filling the first eleven. My first impression is that its going to be a very good year for the women.

At about 25 minutes coach brought freshman Tawni Martino on and shortly we won a corner. The corner was played short to the front post and Martino chipped it to the back post where a Lion blasted a shot on goal that was blocked or saved by ASU. The rebound came to Julie Gallaudet and she wasted no time putting the ball in the roof of the goal for a 1-0 lead. It was the goal of the game.

ASU came right back and tried to score immediately with a curling blast to the far post. Brittany Jagger made a nice diving save to push the ball wide and the Lions led 1-0 at half.

Nickey Ha played well at center mid directing a lot of the Lion attack. She will fill the void left by Bartels and Harrisons graduation. The Lions lost ten to graduation, six of whom were starters. Coach Mallia has eight new freshman and a core of returning varsity players that are solid.

Jaide Garcia also played well at center back getting a lot of minutes. The Lion defense looks as tough as ever. Tata Gilmer played well also in a freshman debut and looks a lot taller in comparison to other teammates listed at 5-9.

Coach Mallia played almost everyone in this one, substituting freely and giving us a chance to see all the talent he has assembled.

As expected ASU came out focused at the start of the second half and tried to force the attack. They got lucky right away when one of our centerbacks tangled a foot with a forward in the box and went right down. It was a foul and a converted P/K but rather bad luck and unfortunate for the Lions.

Less than five minutes later ASU made it 2-1 when they scored on a corner. The Lions failed to mark a Sun Devil standing on the near post and she turned the cross right into the goal. A defensive lapse with advantage taken.

The Lions played well and stayed in the game to the end pressuring ASU and playing well. Martino showed her skill and quickness. After taking a pass in the box with her back to the goal, she made a great turn and passed her defender. The back grabbed at her, missed and then tackled her near the six yard line for a P/K. No red card or even a yellow from the friendly ref in this friendly.

Unfortunately, we missed the P/K to tie.

Bottom line the Lions are going to show us some exciting games with a solid mix of returning players and new faces.

[sullivanfieldfan]

One notable member of the team that didn't see action was Lily Sorentino. I heard she hsas a sore ankle. Hopefully it's not serious.

[sullivanfieldfan]

Top Drawer posted the womens 64 tournament prediction just recently. It is a weekly poll on whom they think will make the tourney. The Lions aren't included yet but have a been there in the waning weeks the last couple of years.

Seven Pac 10 teams are listed right away. The two Arizonas and one Oregon are the only ones not included. Last year nine made it. We only have Cal and Arizona this year in Pac 10 matchups. We hace to beat Arizona again and a result against Cal is possible and would really help our RPI.

From the WCC Portland 8 Santa Clara 10 and San Diego 44 are included.

Coach Mallia has stated his goal is to return to the tournament. Lots of big games are ahead of the team. It may come down to the end of the year again with crucial conference matches against the Peppers USD and Santa Clara.

Home field favors us against the Peppers and USD. Why we have to play Santa Clara away two years in a row I don't understand.

I think we can/will as many as 15 matches this year. It may not happen, but that would certainly be enough to make it to the NC2As

[sullivanfieldfan]

Huge game for women tommorrow! Cal is tough and ranked for good reason, anywhere from 8 to 14. The Lions are a threat though, and have the potential to score a lot more goals than they have for a long time. It should be a great game! Good luck Lions!

[sullivanfieldfan]

Soccer America came out yesterday and put Cal at the bottom of their preseason top 25. They also listed forward Alex Morgan in their preseason all american list.

The Bears were only 11-9-1 last year. We could easily get a result.

[sullivanfieldfan]

Last year the Bears beat both Oregon schools and we narrowly lost to both. (Those 2 loses really hurt our chances to advance to NC2A) They beat ASU by a goal, lost to Portland 4-0 and tied Santa Clara. They also beat St Marys 4-1. They also lost to Sac State and Cal Poly so they aren't invincible. But this is a new season and their early season rankings haven't been tested yet, we could surprise with a win and get off to a great start! I think it will be a close game.

[sullivanfieldfan]

Lions drop opener to Cal 2-1 after trailing 2-0. No other details yet.

[LIONS90045]

Good reports Sullivanfieldfan.
Best wishes for the women's team - sounds like we have some players!

[sullivanfieldfan]

Tough to judge the game by the score and from the message on the Lion athletic site. They jumped out to a 2 zip lead with the second being an own goal. But the Lions hung in there with the goal by Ha towards the end and fought to the finish. Cal outshot us but thats not too much of a tell with our style of play. Cal wasn't one of the 15, I thought we would win anyway so we can still have a great year. Denver will be another test in a week and we'll get to see them play at home

[sullivanfieldfan]

Cal plays several other WCC teams this preseason so that may give us some more clues to the conference. We were the only WCC team to lose yesterday. The WCC is tough and opened 7-1. San Deigo won a big game against USC in LA 1-0. They made it to the tourney last year, it wasn't as big an upset as claimed on the Top Drawer website. They will be tough again when they visit us.

[sullivanfieldfan]

Denver comes into town this Friday to play the Lion women in soccer. It is their first game of the year after thumping Nebraska in an exhibition 5-1.

Last year they won their conference and went to the NCAAs and were trounced by Portland 4-0 and sent home early. They are again favored to win their conference and are used to winning a lot of games every year.

We also lost to Portland last year by the same score. Other common opponents were Saint Marys, (we won 4-1, they won 2-1) and the Oregon schools. We lost each game by a goal and they lost 4-1 and 3-1.

We should win this game. They say they are improved from last year but so are we. The game is here and that should also favor us and we already have a tough game in the books against Cal.

A win will get us on the right track for the large berth we seek. It's the first step.

It should be a good game.

[ironlions]

There is talk of Denver joining the WCC.