Seeded Cal women knocked off by Loyola Marymount
- by Soccer America , Nov 15, 2015
California was the only seeded team to fall in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women's Tournament, dropping a 1-0 decision to Loyola Marymount on Saturday
A season-high 1,103 fans at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley watched LMU prevail over the No. 3 regional seed Golden Bears on Callie Taylor's goal in the 39th minute off a corner kick from Jocelyn Blankenship.
“As a coach, as a set of players, as a team and as a program, when you work so hard for something all year long and the first game of the tournament you probably play overall your worst game of the season, it’s hard to swallow,” California coach Neil McGuire said. “You have to give credit to LMU. They took away some of our strengths, but we were poor. Quite frankly, LMU deserved to win.”
Cal had a 14-4 shot advantage over the second half but could not find the equalizer. Perhaps the best chance came when Kelly Fitzgerald fired a free kick from 20 yards inches over the crossbar in the 76th minute.
“We knew we would have to withstand their ball movement,” LMU head coach Michelle Myers said. “They’re a great team, but I thought our defense was spectacular today.”
Goalkeeper Charlee Pruitt made four saves for LMU, which improved to 14-5-1 on the season.
"Obviously, were very excited. I'm so happy for our seniors," added Myers. "We have nine seniors and their leadership has been fantastic all year long. We knew we would have to withstand their ball movement. They’re a great team, but I thought our defense was spectacular today. And then you always have to tuck one in the back of the net."
Nov. 14 in Berkeley, Calif.
California 0 Loyola Marymount 1. Goal: Taylor (Blankenship) 39.
Loyola Marymount -- Pruitt, Farley, Angelone, Taylor, Sanfilippo, Blankenship, Andreini, Hilby, Tyrnauer, Sanger, Kent. Subs: Nicks, Lewis, Medved, Bolden.
California -- Boyd, Gibson, Mejia, Ley, Graf, Fitzgerald, Lom, Witteman, Ship, Boureille, Onumonu. Subs: Fletcher, Nild, Walleigh.
Att.: 1,103
