Gonzaga University
Loyola Marymnt
Bulldogs Upset No. 22 LMU
10/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 29, 2004
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University recorded its first win over a ranked team since 2002 with a 1-0 West Coast Conference men's soccer victory over league-leading and 22nd-ranked Loyola Marymount University on Friday at Martin Field.
The Bulldogs (6-10-0; 2-6-0) last win over a ranked opponent was a 3-2 double-overtime victory at 15th-ranked University of San Diego on Nov. 1, 2002, just three days shy of exactly two years to Friday's win over the Lions (8-5-3, 6-1-1) who suffered their first WCC setback of the season.
The lone goal of the match came when freshman George Josten scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season from 15 yards straightaway after taking a pass from the right wing from senior Arni Pjetursson. The assist was the 13th for Pjetursson in his career to move him into a tie for fourth with Scott Yuska (2000-03). Josten and Pjetursson are now tied for the team points lead with 11.
The Bulldogs have now won every match in which they have scored a goal this season, all 10 Gonzaga losses this year via shutout. Gonzaga keeper Sean Sosnovec recorded his second shutout of the season and the first for the Bulldogs in WCC action.
The Lions, the hottest team in the WCC entering Friday's match, were 7-1-1 overall and 6-0-l in WCC play since starting the season 1-3-2. Included in LMU's wins was a 4-0 shellacking of then-No. 2 ranked Santa Clara University.
Friday's match was a stark contrast to the first meeting in Los Angeles to open the WCC season in when the Lions took a 2-0 victory. Although the teams were tied in shots on Friday with 12 each, only five LMU shots were on goal. In the first meeting the Lions held a 12-9 edge in shots and eight of them were on goal. The Lions grabbed a 2-0 halftime lead in the first meeting.
Both teams had some excellent scoring chances, Gonzaga seemingly dominating the match early and LMU holding territorial advantage late, despite the fact the Lions played the final 15:08 shorthanded when Nick Blanco was issued a red card following a hard tackle on the Bulldogs Robert Anderson.
Luke Miller missed what appeared to be a sure goal when his rebound shot of a John Reha miss was shot wide left of the open net just 4:47 into the contest. LMU's Matt Kovar appeared ready to find the left post for a goal when Scott Campbell came from the blind side for the block. LMU had another chance late in the first half, Junior Ybarra's free kick from 25 yards knocked out of bounds by Sosnovec for one of his five saves in the match.
Pjetursson just missed giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead just minutes into the second half, his hard shot from 12 yards from the right wing save by LMU keeper Shaun Kalnasy for one of his two saves. Kovar was denied at 61:35 on a header to the far post off a throw in that Sosnovec was able to save, and Kovar's header from the far side just slipped by the left post at 83:19.
The physical contest saw the Bulldogs whistled for 18 fouls to 15 for the Lions. Gonzaga also received a pair of yellow cards.
Gonzaga will make its final home appearance of 2004 on Sunday when San Diego visits for an 11 a.m. match, followed by the Bulldog women against Saint Mary's College at 2 p.m. which is also the final home match of the season for the women.
