Wednesday, October 7
Moraga, CA
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
7-2-4, 1-2-0
0
vs
1
LMU
4-5-2, 3-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMU (CA) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Saint Mary's (CA) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
WSOC | Historic Home Unbeaten Streak Ends, Gaels Fall To LMU 1-0
10/7/2026 7:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. - For the first time in two years and 20 total matches, the Saint Mary's women's soccer team fell in Moraga, losing a 1-0 end-to-end match versus the LMU Lions Wednesday evening. Despite outshooting the Lions 16-10, a goal by Alaina Lee in the 26th minute was enough to give the Lions their first win in Moraga in 15 years.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match began with both teams struggling to get things going offensively, with no shots recorded in the first twenty minutes of play by either side. Wednesday's game also featured 90+ temperatures as the heat was certainly a factor for both sides. Brittany Holden was the first Gael to test the Lions' backline, firing in a shot in the 21st minute from just beyond the six-yard line to force a save from Lions keeper JJ Hoover. Just five minutes later in the 26th minute, the Lions capitalized thanks to midfielder Alaina Lee's second goal of the season, jumping on a loose ball after a dangerous free kick attempt just outside the 18-yard box. Saint Mary's continued to fight, outshooting the Lions 5-4 in the half, including a near first career goal for senior Maren Hoovel in the 39th minute, forcing another save off a left-footed shot from the senior forward.
Fresh off her second WCC Defensive Player of the Week of the season, goalkeeper Kate Plachy made another spectacular save in the 50th minute off a bouncing shot from Elise Bolanos to keep the Gaels in the match. Then in the 76th minute, a curling effort from Gaels forward Brooklyn Smith nearly found the bottom corner but was pushed away for another save from Hoover. While the Gaels continued to pressure the Lions offensively, their 16 shots in the match weren't enough to overcome the Lions' one-goal lead.
GAME NOTES
LOOKING AHEAD
The Gaels will now head to Portland to take on the Pilots on Saturday, October 10, at 6 p.m. to conclude week three of WCC action. Full match coverage and information can be found at smcgaels.com and the match can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match began with both teams struggling to get things going offensively, with no shots recorded in the first twenty minutes of play by either side. Wednesday's game also featured 90+ temperatures as the heat was certainly a factor for both sides. Brittany Holden was the first Gael to test the Lions' backline, firing in a shot in the 21st minute from just beyond the six-yard line to force a save from Lions keeper JJ Hoover. Just five minutes later in the 26th minute, the Lions capitalized thanks to midfielder Alaina Lee's second goal of the season, jumping on a loose ball after a dangerous free kick attempt just outside the 18-yard box. Saint Mary's continued to fight, outshooting the Lions 5-4 in the half, including a near first career goal for senior Maren Hoovel in the 39th minute, forcing another save off a left-footed shot from the senior forward.
Fresh off her second WCC Defensive Player of the Week of the season, goalkeeper Kate Plachy made another spectacular save in the 50th minute off a bouncing shot from Elise Bolanos to keep the Gaels in the match. Then in the 76th minute, a curling effort from Gaels forward Brooklyn Smith nearly found the bottom corner but was pushed away for another save from Hoover. While the Gaels continued to pressure the Lions offensively, their 16 shots in the match weren't enough to overcome the Lions' one-goal lead.
GAME NOTES
- Forward Brooklyn Smith, midfielders Maddie Lucas and Zoe Maikai, and defender Anna Emperador led the Gaels with two shots in the match, while eight other Gaels recorded a shot over the 90 minutes.
- Three Gael defenders, Anna Emperador, Molly Silva, and Aleiyah Schexnayder, all recorded 90 minutes played in the match, with Emperador recording her tenth consecutive 90-minute match.
- Kate Plachy recorded three saves in the match, the fifth time this season she's done so, bringing her career total to 154 saves.
- Junior defender Taylor Farnum made her first start of the season, and her first start since September of 2025.
- The Gaels' loss ends a historic home streak in which Saint Mary's went 20 matches without a loss, a new program record.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Gaels will now head to Portland to take on the Pilots on Saturday, October 10, at 6 p.m. to conclude week three of WCC action. Full match coverage and information can be found at smcgaels.com and the match can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerGK
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
LMU
SMC
Goals
1
0
Shots
10
16
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
7
3
Corners
2
5
Fouls
6
12
Scoring Plays
Alaina Lee (2)
GOAL by LMU Lee, Alaina.
25:33
Game Leaders
mid
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Wednesday, October 07
Friday, October 02
Saturday, September 26
Sunday, September 20
