box score

AZUSA, Calif. -- An Azusa Pacific goal just before the end of the first half would be the day's lone score as Point Loma Nazarene fell to the Cougars 1-0 Saturday afternoon in the opening match of Golden State Athletic Conference play. 

With the loss the Sea Lions slip to 6-2-1 overall 0-1 GSAC.  NAIA No. 6-ranked APU improved to 7-2, 1-0 GSAC.

"I am really proud of the guys," said PLNU coach Tim Hall. "We played great defense but we put ourselves into position to have to play defense by getting beat a few times on offense."

The match looked to be a 0-0 deadlock heading into the break but Carlos Garcia-Partida scored his fifth goal of the year in the 44th minute after taking a pass from Robert James and putting the ball past PLNU keeper Carter Phillips.

"That was a killer," said Hall. "It happened with less than 30 seconds to go in the half."

Phillips did all that he could to keep the game close, saving back five total shots, four in the first stanza.

The Cougars were the owners of momentum Saturday, outshooting the Sea Lions 21-9 (6-3 shots on goal). APU also had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

PLNU had its chances, though, but Cougar keeper Joe Geletko recorded his fourth straight shutout by making three saves on the day. He was also helped out by a team save in the 82nd minute of play when an APU player blocked a Niko Acosta shot to prevent a Sea Lion goal.

Loma's last chance came in the 85th minute; a shot by Griffin Fuller that was turned back by Geletko.

"APU is a very good team," said Hall. "We showed that we can play with anyone but we need to do the things I know we can do to improve to beat these teams. I am encouraged by this game, though. We are getting better."

The Sea Lions will try to get back on track on Wednesday when they host San Diego Christian at 4:00 p.m.