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Lawson's OT Goal Gives LMU 1-0 Win Over Pepperdine
Oct. 11, 2008
Los Angeles, CA - Barely 12 seconds after entering the game for the first time as a substitute, sophomore Kelley Lawson scored to give LMU a 1-0 overtime victory over visiting Pepperdine in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Sullivan Field. On a blustery day, the Lions (6-4-3, 1-0-0 WCC) couldn't muster much offense against the Waves (5-7-2, 0-1-0); however, they got all the scoring they needed on Lawson's timely entry to run their home unbeaten streak to 16 games overall and five in conference play dating back to last season. Even though Pepperdine outshot the Lions 22-8 for the game, the number of shots ultimately did not matter, as the Lions' defense kept the game scoreless and gave its offense a chance to win in overtime. LMU went on the offensive to begin the extra period and was still struggling to create chances when Coach Joe Mallia sent Lawson in just before a throw-in in the 97th minute. On the ensuing play, freshman Marissa Zamora threw the ball in to sophomore Lily Sorentino, who turned in the box and touched a swift cross to Lawson. Finding herself open in the area, Lawson's first touch was a deft half-volley into the right corner of the goal for a Lions' victory. "Kelley's [Lawson] a fast player and we were hoping to open them up a little more," Mallia said. "Did we expect it to happen right there? No, but it worked out for us." While Lawson's goal was the decider on the offensive end, LMU's defense was the key in keeping the Waves off the board. Of the Waves' 22 shots, only seven of them were on target and many were from long-range. When Pepperdine did move the ball past LMU's defense, junior goalkeeper Allyssa Clark was waiting to thwart their efforts. She made a diving save to her right roughly ten minutes into the first half on the first shot, and maybe Pepperdine's best scoring chance, of the match.
Six minutes into the second half, Clark again went low to tip a shot away to keep the game scoreless. She then had to make another diving save in the 61st minute on a shot by Emily Wynne. Wynne led the Waves' offensive attack with seven shots, four of them on goal. Discussing his defense, Mallia said, "Our organization defensively is getting really strong. Statistically they outshot us, but there were a lot shots from distance... we really didn't let them get behind us at all." On the other side, LMU had trouble controlling the ball in Pepperdine's zone and the Lions didn't record their first shot of the game until the 33rd minute on a shot by Sorentino. LMU only managed to put three shots on net for the game but recorded the only one necessary for the win. Clark finished with seven saves in recording her sixth shutout of the season. Kayla Stolte made two saves for the Waves. This was the second straight 1-0 victory for LMU over Pepperdine and the fourth time in the last five meetings between the two schools that the contest had gone into overtime. LMU improved to 4-0-2 at home in 2008 and has not lost at Sullivan Field since September 2, 2007. The win was key for the Lions' momentum as they head into their first WCC road trip on a three-game unbeaten run. LMU's next game is at Portland, ranked #5 in the nation, next Friday at 7 p.m. The Lions then play at Gonzaga on Sunday. - GO LIONS - |
