LMU clinched a share of its first-ever West Coast Conference championship despite falling 1-0 to a late San Francisco goal in the regular season finale at Sullivan Field on Sunday.
The Lions (12-6-2, 8-3-1 WCC) concluded the season tied with Santa Clara atop the WCC standings, but did not win a spot in the national tournament. Santa Clara earned the conference’s automatic bid thanks to their win over Gonzaga and a 1-0-1 season record against the Lions.
LMU had been in sole possession of first place in the conference after Friday’s game against St. Mary’s, which the Lions won 2-0 on second-half goals by David Ponce and Phil Da Silva.
Needing a win or a tie to claim first place for themselves, the Lions came out strong against USF on Sunday, outshooting the the Dons 17-11. But none of their shots went in, and it was a USF goal in the 85th minute that made the difference.
Even with the loss, LMU has secured one of its best seasons in school history. The Lions’ previous best finish in the WCC had been second place in 2004, while this year’s eight conference wins matches the school record, also set in 2004. LMU posted 12 victories during the regular season, its most since 2003, and registered consecutive double-digit win seasons for the first time since 2003-04. The conference title is the first in men’s soccer for LMU and the school’s first since women’s rowing and men’s golf won the WCC crown in 2006.