MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women soccer team will host LMU on Wednesday October 2nd at 4:00PM and new WCC foe Oregon State on Saturday October 5th at 4:00PM for their first home conference matches of the season.
GAME INFORMATION AND COVERAGE
Date: Wednesday, October 2nd
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Saint Mary's Stadium, Moraga
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Stream: ESPN+
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Saint Mary's Stadium, Moraga
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Stream: ESPN+
GAELS RECAP
In the Gaels matchup against Portland, the Pilots dominated in the first half with multiple attempts on goal and an opening goal from Violet Rademacher in the 26th minute. Things took a turn in the 31st minute though as a Portland player received a red card to go down a player for the remainder of the match. Saint Mary's adjusted their starting position of attack to get more numbers up the field and apply more pressure on the Portland defense.
As the Gaels continued to put up shots,
Micaela Romo gave SMC their best opportunity to score. Saint Mary's regained possession in Portland's territory, with a perfect pass right outside the box to Romo. Romo brought the ball down in front of her defender and shot to the top center of the goal but saw it saved by the Pilots goalkeeper.
It was a physical battle inside the box to start the second half. Portland recovered a 50/50 ball in transition but it deflected towards Freshman
Maddie Lucas. Lucas took the ball on the dribble and then drew contact inside the box to earn a Gaels penalty. Leading scorer
Tessa Salvestrin lined up for the penalty and shot hard to the top center of the net to equalize the game at one goal a piece. Salvestrin brings her goal total to five on the year and she ranks inside the top-10 in the conference in total shots and goals as the team's most dangerous offensive threat this season.
By the 70th minute, the Pilots scored two unanswered goals to retake the lead over the Gaels. With 20 minutes remaining in the game, Saint Mary's tried to put one in the back of the net with eight shots taken. SMC ended the match with 20 shots, 11 on target, and multiple Gaels playing the full 90 minutes.
ABOUT LMU (WCC)
The Lions have a 15-12-4 overall record against the Gaels, however LMU have lost in the last four matchups to the Gaels. The Lions hold a 7-2 overall record this season, with a five game win streak after defeating Pacific 2-0 in their conference opener. Chris Chamides is entering his third year as LMU's head coach. Senior Kylie Dobbs has the most goals for the Lions with 6 and Sophomore goalkeeper has played and started in all 9 matchups for the Lions, accumulating 28 saves. LMU is looking for their sixth consecutive win to give them a 2-0 conference record and improve 8-2 overall.
ABOUT OREGON STATE (WCC)
Though the Beavers were part of the PAC-12, Saint Mary's and Oregon State have met on the field a handful of times, with SMC sitting at a 4-1-0 overall record. Last year in the PAC-12 the Beavers completed their 2023 season with a 4-8-7 overall record. Currently, they have a 3-6 record and have recently defeated Gonzaga 4-2 with interim Head Coach Caroline Kelly. Oregon State has three players with two goals on the season to lead the charge offensively.
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