LMU Stuns UCLA with Dramatic Late Winner Anthony Boyadjian's 89th-minute strike caps thrilling Lions comeback at home
LOS ANGELES, CA – Loyola Marymount pulled off a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over UCLA at LMU Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Anthony Boyadjian hammering home a dramatic winner with just over a minute remaining to send the home crowd into raptures.
The crosstown clash appeared destined for a UCLA triumph after Sergi Solans broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, rifling a right-footed effort into the bottom-right corner to give the Bruins a deserved advantage. Solans' clinical finish capped a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, who had controlled the tempo and territorial battle throughout the opening half-hour.
UCLA's lead held firm through halftime and into the second period, with the Bruins' defensive structure frustrating LMU's attacking efforts. The Lions struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized UCLA backline that seemed content to protect their slender advantage.
The match's complexion shifted dramatically in the 61st minute when Ismail Nieves leveled the contest for the home side. The LMU forward tucked away a right-footed strike into the same bottom-right corner that Solans had found earlier, exploiting a momentary lapse in the UCLA defense to restore parity with a composed finish.
Nieves' equalizer injected fresh energy into the Lions' play, as the momentum swing became palpable throughout LMU Stadium. The home side began to press forward with renewed confidence, forcing UCLA into increasingly desperate defensive actions as the clock ticked toward regulation time.
With the match appearing headed for a stalemate, Boyadjian emerged as the unlikely hero for Loyola Marymount. The substitute, who had been introduced in the second half, found himself in the perfect position to capitalize on a late attacking sequence. His right-footed effort flew high into the right side of the net, leaving the UCLA goalkeeper with no chance and sparking wild celebrations among the home faithful.
The timing of Boyadjian's decisive strike – coming at 88:46 – left UCLA with minimal opportunity to respond. The Bruins threw numbers forward in the dying moments, but LMU's defense held firm to preserve their remarkable turnaround.
UCLA's dominance in the opening 60 minutes ultimately counted for nothing as they failed to build upon Solans' opener. The Bruins controlled possession and created the better chances for large portions of the contest, but their inability to extend their lead proved costly against a resilient LMU side that never stopped believing in their comeback chances.
The Lions' victory showcased their character and determination, particularly after falling behind to a well-taken UCLA goal. Their persistence in attacking the same area of the net – with all three goals coming from right-footed efforts – demonstrated tactical awareness and execution under pressure.
Boyadjian's late heroics will live long in LMU memory, as his perfectly-timed intervention transformed what seemed like a disappointing draw into a memorable triumph. The dramatic finish provided a fitting conclusion to an entertaining crosstown battle that swung decisively in the final moments.
Key Players
- Anthony Boyadjian (LMU) - Delivered the match-winning goal in the 89th minute with a right-footed strike
- Ismail Nieves (LMU) - Provided the crucial equalizer in the 61st minute to spark the comeback
- Sergi Solans (UCLA) - Opened the scoring with a clinical 35th-minute finish