The Cougars (3-5-4) are looking to get a win in West Coast Conference play after not being able to pick up a win in their last three games. Losing two of the last three, the last win for the Cougars came against Seattle University on Sep. 24. LMU has lost two straight as well. 

Last time the Cougars took the field was against Saint Mary’s. The Cougars were unable to find a win losing 1-0. Three key pieces returned: Head Coach Todd Shulenberger and goalkeeper Zora Standifer returned after serving a one game suspension for a red card that was picked up. Additionally redshirt-freshman Kiera Mitchell made her return with a mask due to a facial injury.  She missed the last two games. Freshman Aaya McLyn made her first career start. She has appeared in six games this season. Picking up her first career assist against San Diego on Oct. 4th. 

Through four games of conference play the offense has been able to find their identity. Seeing six goals being scored. Including the four goal performance in the open game of WCC play against Seattle U. The last game for Cougars against Saint Mary’s was the only game through conference play that the Cougars have been unable to score in.

Redshirt-senior Jordyn Young leads the team in goals with three. Grad student Abigail Sidall and sophomore Audrey Shackelford both have two goals. Additionally four Cougars have a goal. Freshman Isabelle Wright leads the team in assists with three. Six Cougars have one assist on the season. 

Defensively the team has been unable to keep the ball out of the net. Seeing six goals scored in conference play. The back line has been playing uncharacteristically, allowing goals. During eight games of non-conference play the defense only allowed six goals. The backline is built up  by the senior captain duo of Peyton Price and Maggie Mace. Grad student Brooke Brown, junior Alena Watts and the three freshman Ashle Reese, Aaya McLyn, and Maizy Kluksdal.  

Injuries have hurt the defense. Seeing redshirt fifth year and team captain Jenna Studer go down with a knee injury sidelining her for the rest of the year. She suffered the injury on Sep. 14 against UC Irvine.Studer was named to the preseason all-WCC first team. Redshirt-senior Kiera Fitzgerald went down against North Dakota State University on Sep 18. Fitzgerald is a year removed from an acl tear which sidelined her for all of last season.

The LMU Lions are currently sat fifth place in the WCC standings. On the offensive side the Lions have scored 9 goals on the season with two goals in conference play seeing Callan Harrington leading the team with four goals. On the defensive side the Lions have 14 goals to be scored and five goals allowed in conference play. The last time the Lions took the field they suffered a 3-0 loss against Gonzaga. 

Both teams are looking to get a win in conference play. Catch the Cougars on Saturday Oct.11 at 7 pm at the lower soccer field.