BOX SCORE
LA MIRADA, Calif. - With their backs against the wall, the Sea Lions came through with a big 2-1 overtime victory at Biola Saturday evening. The win put PLNU (6-9, 3-6 GSAC) back into the Golden State Athletic Conference playoff picture. Loma entered the day tenth in the conference standings but climbed over two teams – Hope International and Concordia - into eighth place and are currently the final playoff qualifier.
The Sea Lions nearly suffered a shocking defeat, though. An
Erick Melendez goal in the 33
rd minute of play looked like it was going to be enough until Biola's Graham Foster evened the score with just 18 seconds remaining in regulation.
“It was devastating,” PLNU coach
Tim Hall said about the last-second goal. “We were really down after that. But I said 'alright, it's time to play soccer again.'”
Instead of folding, PLNU showed resiliency and fight. PLNU senior
Grant Cowles attempted the first shot in overtime and found pay dirt, sending in the game-winner at the 96 minute mark.
“I am very proud of the guys,” said Hall. “To go from being so high to being so low like that and to bounce back shows me a lot.”
The Eagles (6-8-1, 4-4-0) outshot the Sea Lions 12-5. PLNU keeper
Carter Phillips saved all five BU shots on goal, however, while two of Loma's on-target shots went into the Eagle net.
The Sea Lions have one more contest remaining in the regular season: next Saturday at Fresno Pacific starting at 1:30 pm. Point Loma will more than likely need a win there and have to have some help to make the GSAC tournament. Ninth-place Concordia has two more regular season tilts left – both at home – against Hope International and California Baptist. Seventh-place Westmont travels to The Master's and hosts Westmont next week.
