Jennifer Tan headed in a corner kick from Lauren Hernandez in the second overtime to give PLNU a 1-0 win over Simon-Fraser in a NAIA Opening Round Match and advance the Sea Lions into the final site of the NAIA National Championships.
 
The game was hosted by Simon Fraser out of Canada, but the site was moved to Whatcom Community College in Bellingham to make traveling easier for PLNU. The Opening Round Match was played in cold and windy conditions, creating a battle between two stout defenses.

Neither team had many scoring opportunities, especially in the first half. But in the second half and the overtime, the Sea Lions increased the pressure on the offensive end, finally resulting in the goal by Tan, on a terrific cross from Hernandez.
 
“The girls played brilliantly,” said PLNU coach Tim Hall. “We're so thrilled to be able to be apart of the round of 16.”
 
Hall added that he was most proud of his team for battling the entire time, despite conditions they weren't used to.
 
“We didn't play our best game, but the girls continued to fight and scrap throughout the game,” he said. “Sometimes there's more to winning than pure skill and they girls really dug deep today and showed a lot of heart.”
 
PLNU played an aggressive game, totaling 18 fouls compared to five for SFU. The Sea Lions took seven total shots, four on goal. SFU managed eight shots, five on goal, but got none off in the overtime periods. 

SFU's Caitlin Young provided the only scoring opportunities in the first half, with a shot from 20 yards out that was saved by PLNU's keeper Tiffany Kracy. Young also sent a shot wide from 18-yards out in the 31st minute.

Both Kracy and Clan keeper Cassie Newbrook held the game scoreless through 90 minutes of regulation, with Kracy making five saves, while Newbrook prevented scoring opportunities off Sea Lion corner kicks. Sarah Boulton almost ended the game in the 87th minute, banking a shot off April Coffin, however Kracy once again shut the door.

The shutout was the 12th of the year for the No. 12-ranked Sea Lions (13-4-3). The ninth-ranked Clan ends their season with a 7-7-3 overall record.

The final site of the NAIA championships is in Decatur, Alabama, and starts on November 30. PLNU will take on a familiar foe, Vanguard, Tuesday, December 1 at 4:00 pm (cst).