Nov. 5, 2004
Box Score
(San Diego, CA) - USD freshman Vanessa Vella scored in the second overtime session Friday night to give host No. 22 San Diego (11-7-2; 5-1-1 WCC) a 1-0 victory over league rival Loyola Marymount (10-7-3; 2-4-1 WCC) at Torero Stadium. Vella's goal put an end to a very competitive match and a regular season in which USD equaled a program record for league wins (5). San Diego, ranked 22nd nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, can expect a sixth consecutive bid into the NCAA College Cup Tournament when the first round pairings are announced Monday at 1:30pm on ESPNNEWS.
Vella, a first-year defender from Encinitas and La Costa Canyon High School, was able to capitalize on a flurry of action in front of the LMU net, gathering a loose ball and scoring on an open goal from eight yards away. It was Vella's eighth point this season and her first game-winning goal of her young career.
Both teams created opportunities throughout. A ball handling error in the game's later stages by USD goalkeeper Karen Cook resulted in an indirect free kick for the Lions in the penalty area. LMU was unable to capitalize and would be shutout for the fifth time this season despite putting seven shots on goal.
The Toreros managed to out-shoot the Lions 6-2 during the two overtime periods. A win for USD and second-year head coach Ada Greenwood assures the Toreros a least a third place finish within the WCC and most likely a berth into the NCAA College Cup Tournament. San Diego is 7-1-1 over its last nine games.
