Box Score LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Picking up a crucial win in their chase for a conference championship, the University of San Francisco men's soccer team (5-5-3, 3-0-1 WCC) hung on to take down LMU (5-5-3, 2-1-1 WCC), 2-1, at Sullivan Field on Saturday night to remain unbeaten in WCC play.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• With each side playing tough in the opening minutes of the match, San Francisco fired their first shot of the evening at 9:19 when Gabriel Bracken Serra logged his first attempt on goal, but the midfielder was denied by LMU goalkeeper Ky Mani Dade.
• Continuing their pressure in the following seconds, Brayden Beason and Isaiah Easley each recorded a shot attempt before the Dons capitalized on a corner kick. With Reid Roberts taking the corner for the green and gold, the junior made a strong pass into the box, where Joe Core then punched home his second goal of the season at 9:44 to put San Francisco in front, 1-0.
• As the first half played on, the Dons kept their offense flowing as Adrian Medina and Beason tallied more shots for San Francisco. In the 33^rd minute, Isaiah Easley drove down the pitch on the attack before the forward was fouled in the box, which ultimately set up a penalty kick opportunity for Gabriel Bracken Serra. Coverting to double up the Lions, Bracken Serra rocketed his third goal of the year past the opposing keeper to make it 2-0 in favor of the green and gold.
• Closing the half, Beason and Roberts would attack the LMU goal in search of a third goal, but each would be unlucky. Heading into the locker room, San Francisco maintained their two-goal advantage (2-0).
• Coming out of the locker room, the Dons remained steady as Rylan Smith and Olivier Sylvain, who appeared in his first match since Oct. 9, fired shots against the Lions. In the 79^th minute, LMU would cut their deficit in half as Hakeem Morgan converted on a penalty kick to bring the Lions closer, 2-1.
• Despite play getting a bit chippy down the stretch, Beason continued to push offensively as he tallied another shot at 82:35. Although LMU would possess the ball on their side of the field in the final moments, San Francisco got the defensive stops they needed late to hold on and take down the Lions, 2-1, to secure its first win in Los Angeles since 2010. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Making an impact off corner kicks, Core netted his second goal off a corner in the past three games on Saturday night as the William & Mary transfer has come on in a big way over the last few weeks.
• Known for his skill on penalties, Bracken Serra is now tied for second on the team with three goals. Notably, his two points earned against the Lions now puts him in sole possession of the most points on the team (11).
• In goal, Eric Waltz recorded four saves against LMU, marking the fourth time this season the San José native has tallied four or more saves. 

UP NEXT:
San Francisco will return home to the Hilltop this upcoming Wednesday, Oct. 30 as the Dons will host San Diego for a midweek matchup at 7:00 pm. Live streaming, live statistics and ticket links are available via the team's schedule page.
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco men's soccer program, be sure to follow @USFDonsMSoccer on Twitter, @USFDonsMenssoccer on Instagram and @USFDonsMSoccer on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor - Planet Orange - for their continued support of San Francisco Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.