Marquette Takes Down No. 4 LMU in Penalty Kicks

CARY, N.C. - For the second time in program history the Marquette men's soccer team is headed to the Sweet 16. The No. 19/18 Golden Eagles took down the No. 9/4 Loyola Marymount Lions in penalty kicks, 3-1, after the game remained scoreless through regulation and two overtime periods.

Beto Soto scored in the first round of penalty kicks while MU goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood saved WCC Offensive Player of the Year Noel Caliskan's shot. Lukas Sunesson buried his opportunity in the second round before LMU's Bastien Oberli saw his shot sail high of the net. Alan Salmeron put a shot in the top right corner to give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 edge. Dylan Shockley scored his PK to keep the Lions alive before Zyan Andrade's shot was saved. Down to their last hope, LMU's Ronaldo Brown missed the net to the right on his try, cementing the win for the Golden Eagles.

MU is now 2-3 all-time in NCAA tournaments, with its other win coming in 2013 against Akron.

Prior to penalty kicks, the two teams battled for 110 minutes. Marquette (8-2-2, 5-1-1 BIG EAST) played on the defensive for much of the first half but refused to concede a goal despite getting outshot 11-2. A.J. Franklin and Christian Marquez tallied the shots for MU.

Third Team All-BIG EAST goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood saved three shots in the first half, including a diving stop in the 21st minute that stopped a would-be goal from LMU midfielder Narcisco Cervantes on a shot from outside the 18.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances in a much more open second half. The Golden Eagles had perhaps the best pair of opportunities, with the first one coming In the 68th minute. Redshirt junior Sam Thornton put out a low cross to Lukas Sunesson, whose shot was tipped off the crossbar by LMU keeper Jacob Jackson.

MU had another chance to break the scoreless tie in regulation when BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Beto Soto broke through on a counter attack and laced a left-footed strike from outside the box. His shot sailed just high and wide to the left of the net.

Chandler Hallwood (7-1-2) was on his game after missing the BIG EAST tournament game against Seton Hall. The All-BIG EAST honoree finished the day with seven saves, which tied a career-high. His diving stop in the 108th minute stole one last scoring opportunity from the Lions, who finished the season with a 6-0-3 (6-0-3 WCC) record.

LMU outshot MU 22-9 on the afternoon and held a 13-6 edge in corner kicks.

UP NEXT:
Marquette will take on either No. 3 Indiana or St. Francis Brooklyn in the Round of 16 on Thursday, May 6 at WakeMed Field. Time is still to be determined.

Keep up with the Marquette University men's soccer team through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and 'liking' on Facebook (/Marquettesoccer).