ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Soka University Lions fell to the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer College 3-2 on Thursday evening at the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.

Pomona-Pitzer's Eamon Stein converted both of his chances in the first twenty minutes of the match for the early 2-0 lead. Stein's first goal originated from a deep service from Zach Friedman behind Soka's defense. Stein took his first touch to his right, and slotted his shot low, and into the back post at the 17:25 minute mark. His second goal was finished one and a half minutes later from just wide-right of the 18-yard box. His shot squeaked past Soka's goal keeper Maxwel Barainca, as it bounced off of the far post and into the goal.

Soka's Gerardo De La Torre answered back in the 36^th minute, after he found himself with the ball 25 yards outside of the goal. He turned his defender, and bent his shot low, and into the back post bringing the score to 2-1 at the end of the first half.

Pomona-Pitzer's Jorge Guillen-Lopez scored what would later become the Sagehens' game-winning goal in the 68^th minute, after his shot soared towards Soka's goal sending Barainca to his right. Guillen-Lopez's shot ricocheted off of Soka's defender, and re-directed to Barainca's left and into the side net for the Sagehens' third goal.

In their hunt to level the score, Soka's first-year defender Chase Buchert finished the Lions' second and final goal of the game.  Buchert threw a bicycle kick at the top of the six-yard box off of a bending service from De La Torre. Buchert's acrobatics proved enough, as his shot flicked past Pomona-Pitzer's goal keeper to bring the score to 3-2 with ten minutes left to play.

Despite Soka's attacking efforts, with chances created by Yauri De Groot, Josh Lee, and Mikey Venezia, the Lions were unable to equalize after outshooting the Sagehens 23-11.

  
Up next, the Lions (3-2) will host University of Saint Katherine on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. Kickoff is set for 7pm.
 
 



NOTES: This is the first meeting between the Lions and the Saghens… Soka's Barainca made two saves to Pomona-Pitzer's Brian Diangson's 11…  De La Torre led the Lions with five shots on the night… De La Torre now has five goals and three assists on the season totaling for 13 points in five games… De La Torre Ranks 4^th in the NAIA for shots per game, 12^th for shots on goal per game, 35^th in points per game, 39^th for total game-winning goal, 40^th for goals per game, 41^st for total points, and 44^th for total goals… De Groot ranks 3^rd in the NAIA for shots per game, 10^th in shots on goal per game and goals per game, 12^th for points per game, 14^th in total goals, 16^th in total points, and 39^th in game-winning goals.