PLNU suffered a heartbreaking defeat Wednesday, falling to visiting Cal Baptist 2-1 on a penalty kick in overtime. The loss snapped a two-game GSAC winning streak for the Sea Lions while CBU ended a six-game winless streak.
After an intense, physical game that featured 10 total cards handed out, the Sea Lions were called for a foul in the box with just 14 seconds remaining in the first overtime.
CBU's Willie Rupert took the kick and hammered it past a diving Eric Leboffe to give the Lancers (2-5-4, 1-5-4) their first GSAC victory.
Cal Baptist controlled much of the first half, and took the early lead when Jonathan Garcia fed Osvaldo Bastida for a goal. It was the first Lancer points in six contests. PLNU got an advantage in the 56th minute though, as CBU's Spenser Steele was given a red card after a hard tackle.
Despite playing a man down, the Lancer defense was able to keep the Sea Lion attack at bay for much of the second half. Austin Fares came through with the equalizer in the 78th minute though, after Erick Melendez broke away from the defense and passed off to Fares who netted his third goal of the season.
The game remained a hard-fought 1-1 battle for the next 20 minutes, until the penalty kick ended it.
The Sea Lions fall to 3-8 on the season, 2-4 in conference play. They return to the field on Saturday when they visit Westmont.
-Jeremiah Wood