Los Angeles - In a sunday matinee at Sullivan Field on the Loyola Marymount Campus, the Pacific women's soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat to the host Lions, with the decisive goal occurring in the 42nd minute. Pacific goalkeeper Lena Perry finished with six saves and Pacific's back line also chipped in two defensive saves. The Tigers fall to 1-8-1 (0-2, WCC) on the season in defeat, while Loyola Marymount improves to 8-3-1 (2-0, WCC) with the victory. The Lions will now hope to reposition themselves for a national ranking after receiving votes two weeks ago.

In a first half that saw both teams show offensive pressure early, Pacific was able to get a shot on goal in the 27th minute as Eliza Hard booted a try on net, but Loyola Marymount goalkeeper Charlee Pruitt dealt with the challenge. Just two minutes later, LMU had a great scoring opportunity as a through ball found the waiting foot of Nikki Martino. Martino seemed to best Lena Perry, who was out of position, but the Tiger keeper recovered to deny Martino the opening salvo.

Perry again denied Morgan Hilby in the 33rd minute but the Lions did score first in the waning minutes before halftime. In the 42nd minute of play, Jocelyn Blankenship took a corner from the right side that was vaulted into the box where Cassidy Nicks was waiting to head home a goal from inside six yards to put the hosts up 1-0. At the halftime break, Pacific trailed 6-2 in shots and Perry had three saves to her credit.

The second half scoring opened in the 54th minute after a Lions free kick was buoyed into the box, where the ball bounced around and eventually trickled into the back of the net, off the kick of a Tiger defender who was attempting a clearance. LMU took a 2-0 lead, forcing the Tigers to play catchup for the rest of the contest.

In the 63rd, Terra Carden kept the Lions from extending the lead with a team save and in the 65th minute, the Tigers had an outstanding scoring chance as Lily Higashino layered a shot at Pruitt. Pruitt made a jump save, punching the attempt over the bar and out of harms way.

In the 78th, Courtney Callister also sent a ball out of danger for a team save after a corner kick bounced dangerously in the penalty area. Higashino and Hard joined Bietsch with shot attempts in the contest. Melissa Lewis had two shots on goal for the hosts.

Head Coach Keith Coleman said following the match, "Similar to Friday, we faced a very tough opponent on the road today (27th in the RPI) and had soem very good moments." 

He continued, "We had two very good scoring chances and again played well defensively throughout the game. I would take this group into a battle any day. The next step is putting the pieces together to reward them offensively for their hard work." 

Pacific will now return home to host Gonzaga and Portland, starting with a matchup against the Bulldogs at 7:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 9. The game is the program's annual Pacific Plays Pink contest, as the Tigers will raise awareness for breast cancer and breast health as well as funds for related charities. The game will be streamed live via TheW.tv and Live Stats will be avaliable via PacificTigers.com.

For the latest on the Pacific Women's Soccer program, be sure to follow @PacificSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.