ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Soka University Lions were defeated by the (RV) Marymount California University Mariners 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.

The two sides played to a scoreless first half, with end to end action, and both teams creating multiple scoring opportunities. The Mariners' John Ryan Hollands' chance in the eighth minute was blocked by Soka's Harrison Gilmer, while Soka's Glen McKay produced a dangerous shot in the 23^rd minute that skimmed over the crossbar and out of play.

With eighteen minutes left in the first half, Soka's Gerardo De La Torre served a driven in-swinger towards the penalty spot to Leonardo Ortiz. Ortiz won his heading duel, and redirected his shot towards the upper right corner of the goal, but Marymount's Ramon Garcia made the diving save, turning Ortiz's shot around the post.

It wasn't until the 60^th minute that the Lions were able to convert their chance, as Soka was awarded a penalty kick after Johannes Hielscher was pushed from behind inside the box. Soka's penalty kick specialist and team captain Hunter Stewart, calmly stepped up to the spot. Stewart placed his shot into the corner of the goal, and out of Garcia's reach, giving Soka the 1-0 lead.

The Mariners equalized three minutes later, and Marymount striker Nedin Zukanovic scored the first of his two goals to level the score. Zukanovic netted the Mariners' game-winner in the 75^th minute of play. The goal developed after Pedro Campos served his free kick towards the back post. Zukanovic crashed the goal, and flicked his header into the right corner for the 2-1 win.

"We're immensely proud of our guys today," said head coach Ian Eggleston. "That was a very good Marymount team who deserve the national attention that they are getting. To be up 1-0 with less than thirty minutes left in the match was testament to just how hard our guys worked today. We knew we'd have to defend with intensity and desire, and be patient for our chances when they came. The fact that we started with seven first-years and only three subs available, made our performance even more impressive. We had a great week of training leading up to the match, with fantastic energy in practice, and we knew we were going to need to bring that same energy into the game in order to stick to the game plan. Obviously we're disappointed to lose this match, but the boys should hold their heads high after that performance as I know that it bodes well for the future."

With a quick turnaround, the Lions will continue California Pacific Conference play when they host Pacific Union College on Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Kickoff is set for 4:45pm.
 
 



NOTES: This is the fifteenth meeting between the Lions and the Mariners…Soka is now 0-15 against Marymount… this is also the fourth time that Soka has lost to Marymount by a score of 2-1… The Lions were out shot 34-8, with the Mariners finding frame 12 times… Soka's Riley Grosso made 10 saves on the game… yellow cards were shown to Soka's Glen McKay and Leo Ortiz, and Marymount's Christopher Negrete and Randy Martinez.