Sept. 14, 2008

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Los Angeles - LMU extended its home unbeaten streak to 14 games with a goalless tie against visiting Utah on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Field. The Lions (3-2-2) have not lost in their last four matches, having registered shutouts in the last three.

One feature of the Lions' play over their three-game winning streak has been to dictate the tempo from the opening whistle. On Sunday, however, it was Utah (2-5-1) who started strong, attempting the first five shots of the game but none were enough to trouble the Lion defense. LMU settled down, though, getting its first shot in the 33rd minute when sophomore Lily Sorentino got free for a long-range effort that was saved by Emalee Rogers.

Utah mounted a trio of chances within the final seven minutes of the first half. First, Mallory Mitamura had a long-range effort that drew a superb diving stop from LMU junior goalkeeper Allyssa Clark. From the ensuing corner kick, Clark's defense came to the rescue as sophomore Julie Gallaudet headed a shot from Amanda Sanchez off the line. Seconds later, Kelly Isleib's free kick effort sailed just high and the Utes finished the half with a 10-1 shot advantage and 5-0 on corner kicks.

LMU's best chance to that point came in the 53rd minute off a free kick. Junior Lacey Bartels floated a cross in from the right that fell to senior Amanda Lernor, who laid it off to Sorentino inside the six-yard box. With a crowd in front of her, Sorentino was unable to hit the target, however.

Sorentino continued to be the key to LMU's attack. With 14 minutes left in regulation, she took a long pass from Bartels and split two defenders. Her left-footed shot from 20 yards beat Rogers but clipped off the top of the crossbar. At the other end, Isleib broke through the defense, only Clark was equal to the task by tipping over for a corner.

Overtime was nothing new for either teams this season as the Lions found themselves going into extra time for the second time while the Utes were playing bonus soccer for the fourth time. LMU outshot Utah 2-1 in the each overtime period but the most excitement came in the second. With five minutes left, Utah's Lauren Porter sent a long pass over the top that got in behind the Lion defense. A footrace ensued between Clark coming out of goal and Lauren Hair bearing down on her. Clark got there first but whiffed on her clearance. Fortunately for the Lions, junior Kim Feeney was there to clear before Hair could react. The Lions had one more good chance as Gallaudet found herself free outside the penalty box but her shot was straight at Rogers.

Clark made eight saves, one off her career-high, for her second career save. She and the LMU defense have not allowed a goal in the last three games, spanning 290:04. Rogers made three saves for Utah, who held a 19-9 shot advantage.

The 0-0 scoreline was the Lions' first scoreless tie since going 110 goalless minutes against Indiana on September 7, 2007. With two ties already in 2008, the Lions have surpassed their total from last season.

LMU heads back out on the road for the next three matches, with two coming against ranked teams. Next week, the Lions travel to Stillwater, OK to face #16 Oklahoma State on Friday. They remain in Stillwater on Sunday to take on Oral Roberts before returning to the West Coast the following week to play at #3 USC.

- GO LIONS -