Lions Fall 1-0 at UCSB in Season Opener

Aug. 31, 2007

Box Score

UC Santa Barbara scored early in the second half for the game's only goal to spoil Joe Mallia's LMU head coaching debut, 1-0, in Santa Barbara on Friday night.

Freshman Kailyn Kugler scored the first goal of her career at 47:02 as Katrina Wright started the move from the left, feeding Linda Allen in the box. Allen touched a pass to Kugler, who slotted in from 10 yards out.

The teams battled through a scoreless first half, combining for just seven shots. The Lions put all four of their shots on-frame but UCSB goalkeeper Katie Wright was equal to the task with four saves.

In the second half, the Gauchos went on the offensive early. Sarah Stoltz had a solid opportunity at the 46:02 mark but her shot on goal was deflected wide right by LMU goalkeeper Joslyn Slovek. Exactly one minute later, UCSB struck for the only goal of the match.

The Lions swarmed in front of the goal in the final minute but Katie Wright kept the clean sheet. UCSB finished the match with a 9-6 shot advantage. LMU was paced by Jamie Bell, who had four of the team's six shots.

With the victory, the Gauchos end a six-match winless streak to the Lions and open the season with a 1-0 record. LMU drops to 0-1.

LMU hosts Dayton on Sunday in its home opener, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Sullivan Field.