ATHLETICS | The Lions women’s volleyball team returned from last weekend’s Butler tournament with a Friday sweep over Belmont and a split to close out the tournament on Saturday, topping the hosts Butler and losing to No. 19 Illinois, completing the nonconference portion of the season. LMU opens West Coast Conference play at home this week: On Thursday, Santa Clara comes to Gersten Pavilion for a 7 p.m. match, then San Francisco will close out the weekend Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available for the full season and individual games.
The men’s soccer team continues their historic beginning to the season. The Lions added two more shutouts in 200 minutes of action this week, making a school-record 560 scoreless minutes for sophomore goalkeeper Jacob Jackson. On the road for the first time this season, LMU and UC Riverside battled to a double overtime scoreless draw on Thursday. Then, the Lions took down the No. 23 CSUN Matadors in thrilling fashion 2-0 for their fifth win of the season. Jackson impressive performances earned WCC Player of the Week recognition, as announced by the conference Monday. Jackson has not allowed a goal this season. The team will continue on the road for two more games this upcoming game, traveling to Cal Poly on Thursday night and then playing at No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Sunday evening.
LMU men’s water polo team never trailed in Saturday’s opening game of the WWPA conference schedule. The Lions topped Fresno Pacific, 18-10, after leading by as many as 10 goals in the game. LMU will be back on the road this Wednesday for a night game at UC San Diego, then host the SoCal Invitational Friday through Sunday at Burns Aquatics Center. Games begin Friday at 1 p.m., with 16 total games being played throughout the weekend. LMU first hits the pool at 5 p.m. on Friday against Pacific.
The Lions women’s soccer team suffered a pair of setbacks this past week, falling to Cal State Fullerton on Thursday and then again on Sunday to UC Santa Barbara. The final nonconference game of the season will be played at Seattle on Thursday at 3 p.m.
The men’s golf program competed in their first tournament of the season last weekend, putting together their low round of the tournament last Tuesday, shooting a 293 to close out the Golfweek Conference Challenge. All twelve Lions will have an opportunity to compete this upcoming week for LMU. Coach Jason D’Amore will bring five to the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate from Sept. 27-28, while the other seven players will compete in a head-to-head against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Monday, Sept. 23.
Former LMU baseball standout Cory Abbott was named the Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year, it was announced last week. Abbott, currently pitching for the Cubs Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies, was honored during an on-field ceremony prior to the Cubs game on Sept. 19 at Wrigley Field.
