LOS ANGELES – Jenni Benger scored on a header off of a corner kick by Jocelyn Blankenship in the 110th and final minute of overtime to lift Loyola Marymount past UC Santa Barbara 1-0 on a sizzling Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.
The teams played evenly through 109:28 minutes of regulation and overtime until the Lions broke through. LMU (3-1-1) finished with a 13-11 advantage in shots, but each team had just five shots on goal. Prior to the game-winner, however, the Gauchos (1-2-1) had the only two shots of the overtime.
UCSB had an opportunity in the 95th minute when a scramble in front of the Lions’ goal resulted in a good look for Kelly McGrath who booted the ball high, over the crossbar. It was the lone shot o the first overtime.
The Lions threatened in the 85th minute when Brianne Medved took a pass above the top of the box and went in one-on-one against UCSB goalkeeper Makenna Henry who came well off her line to block the shot.
After allowing four goals in her last start, a 4-3 loss at Southern Utah, Henry was solid for UCSB coming up with four saves. The goal by Benger narrowly eluded her outstretched leaping attempt at a save.
Allie Ariniello, who scored three goals in the team’s first three matches, led the Gauchos with four shots, three of which were on-frame. UCSB’s defensive unit of Kailey Hackett, Paige Gankema, Sydney Futertes and Taylor Gehring was solid in front of Henry.
The Gauchos return home on Friday, Sept. 6 to host Pacific in a match that will kick-off at 5:00 p.m. and will be followed by a UCSB men’s match against Gonzaga.
