Box Score MORAGA, Calif. - After failing to find the net in their previous two matches, the Gaels found the score sheet three times against the LMU Lions Saturday afternoon, notching their first conference win of the season. 
 
FAST AND FURIOUS
Saint Mary's wasted no time getting on the board, running at the Lions defense from the opening whistle. Nayeli Diaz opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, as Tessa Salvestrin charged into the box, before passing to a wide-open Diaz on the left side of the box. Diaz powered her shot into the top right corner to break the scoreless drought for the Gaels 90 seconds into the contest. 
 
Saint Mary's continued to ramp up the offensive pressure, as LMU opted to sit in defense and play the Gaels on the counter attack.
 
LONG RANGE ROCKETS
Tessa Salvestrin and Nayeli Diaz continued to cause the Lions defense problems inside the opening fifteen minutes. The Gaels were rewarded once again for their intense offensive pressure, as Alessandra Towle found herself on the score sheet for the first time in her Gaels career. 
 
Towle burst up the right side of the field, before unleashing a left footed shot from the top of the box and into the top left corner of the Lion's net. The freshman right back increased the Gaels lead to 2-0 in the 17^th minute. 
 
DEFENSIVE DUES
As the first half continued, LMU slowly grew into the game, creating a few half chances that put the Saint Mary's defense on high alert. 
 
The Lions were rewarded for their pressure, as they converted a long-range effort of their own in the 44^thminute to make it 2-1. This time, it was a right footed shot that powered past Taylor Poland who was unable to get her gloves on the shot.
 
SECOND HALF CHANCES
Despite conceding right at the end of the half, Saint Mary's were unphased to start the second, as Tessa Salvestrin slammed the crossbar just four minutes into the second half. Missed chanced proved to be the story the Gaels, as numerous opportunities to finish off the Lions passed them by until late in the contest.
 
Santavicca had the best look for Saint Mary's, as she found herself one on one with the LMU keeper in the 72^nd minute. Despite getting off a solid right footed shot, the Lions keeper was took quick off her goal line and smothered the shot before it could get past her.
 
Tessa Salvestrin was rewarded for her tireless work all game, and put the game to bed for Saint Mary's in the 83^rd minute. Emma Barthel and Savannah Schwarze bossed the midfield for the Gaels all game long, and Schwarze fizzed a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Salvestrin, who collected the ball, cut inside to her right foot, and powered a right footed shot into the right side of the net to make it 3-1 Gaels. 
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's are back on the road next week as they head south to battle conference rivals Santa Clara on October 15 at 1 pm.