LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The University of Portland men’s soccer team lost a road match to Loyola Marymount, 2-0 on Sunday, but also lost its two starting central defenders for Portland’s next match as senior Paul Robinson and junior Josh Brown were issued red cards. Portland falls to 5-3-1 overall, 0-1-1 in West Coast Conference action, while LMU improves to 4-3-2 overall and 2-0-0 in WCC play.
Following LMU’s second goal at 51:06, Brown was sent off, putting the Pilots a man down through the end of regulation. Robinson was carded following the conclusion of the game after an apparent verbal dispute with the official. Both players will be forced to sit out Portland’s home game against Santa Clara on Friday in Portland.
Lions’ substitute Nick Blanco scored his first goal of the season in the 36th minute on assists from Danny Williams and Matt Kovar. LMU extended the lead in the 52nd minute as Sean Rhynard finished a cross from Blanco, Bobby Burling was also credited with an assist on the score.
Trailing 2-0 and a man down, the Pilots played their most inspired soccer of the afternoon in the final third of the game, but LMU keeper Robert Flores prevented a Pilot goal with five second-half saves. Flores had seven saves altogether, while Portland goalie Luis Robles made six stops in frame.
LMU out-shot Portland 14-9 and held a 9-1 corner kick advantage. The physical contest had a combined 35 fouls, five yellow cards and the two Pilot red cards.
Portland junior midfielder Heath Pearce had three shots, while junior Sean Babcock was the only other Pilot with multiple shot attempts on the afternoon. LMU’s Kovar and Tyler Mehl each had three shots to lead the Lions.
The Pilots return home and continue conference play against the Santa Clara Broncos on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:00 p.m. The match is being billed the “Pilot Black Out” as fans are encouraged to dress in all black for the men’s team’s first Friday night match. Santa Clara entered this week ranked in the top 10 nationally, while Portland was No. 20 in this week’s polls.
