MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Men's Soccer honored their seniors before their 2022 home finale and sent the fans home happy with a 1-0 win over LMU.
 
The Gaels (7-6-4, 2-1-3) once again struck quickly off the foot of Wade Muttitt, and battled the rest of the way defensively in another physical, testy contest with the Lions.
 
QUICK STRIKE
SMC had a corner kick in the third minute, that Riley Lynch drove into the box off his left foot. Muttitt charged in and put his right foot on the ball to flick it into the back-right corner of net from the corner of the six-yard box for a 1-0 lead.
 
It was Muttitt's fifth goal of the season to extend his team lead, and Lynch's team-leading fifth assist.
 
For the rest of the first half the Gaels defense was smothering, not even allowing an opportunity for the Lions to get a shot on goal that would require a save from keeper Kash Oladapo.
 
SHUT IT DOWN
But in the second half LMU cranked up their pressure and Oladapo was ready. The junior keeper made two saves at point blank range that stunned the Lions and thrilled the SMC supporters.
 
The first came on a shot from eight feet away directly in the middle of the box after a cross from Oladapo's left. He moved to his right but got his left arm up to deflect the shot as the Lions attacker shot it against the grain in the 73rd minute.
 
His second big save came in the in the 87th minute from the same distance, but off to his left. The Lions attacker settled a pass down off his chest and fired a right-footed shot all in one motion, but Oladapo dove to his right to punch it away. It was Oladapo's fourth shutout of the season and seventh as a Gael.
 
NO LOVE LOST
The Gaels were down a man at the time as they played in the final seven minutes with just 10 players. The Gaels scorer, Muttitt, was issued a red card after a scuffle with a Lions defender.
 
The LMU defender and Muttitt went up for a pass from senior captain Boyd Curry and was maliciously fouled by LMU's Corbin Mercado, as the Lion went up over the Crowthorne, England native and landed on top of him.
 
Muttitt muttered some words to Mercado, but the LMU player stood over Muttitt and taunted the Gaels leading scorer leading to a headbutt in retaliation and a punch from Muttitt which caused him to be disqualified.
 
But the Gaels held on and moved into third in the WCC standings, as SMC looks to keep their streak going of finishing in the top half of the league to 12-straight seasons.  
 
UP NEXT:
Saint Mary's will finish the season at Santa Clara on Saturday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m.