box score

AZUSA, Calif. – NAIA tenth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene knocked off No. 1-ranked Azusa Pacific 1-0 Saturday afternoon. Krista Gregory put in the game's only goal in the 78th minute of action and the Sea Lion defense did the rest in the upset victory.

"The girls played great," said PLNU coach Tim Hall. "They showed tremendous heart and played hard for 90 minutes."

The match was the opener of Golden State Athletic Conference play and puts PLNU at 9-0-1 overall, 1-0 conference while Azusa falls to 4-1-1, 0-1 GSAC.

It was the first time since the Point Loma program began in 1999 that the Green and Gold came away with a win against the Cougars. The Sea Lions twice advanced in the postseason past APU, but both of those were 0-0 deadlocks decided on penalty kicks and are considered ties.

Point Loma finally broke through to the win column on Saturday in the final GSAC meeting between the two longtime rivals.

The decisive score didn't come until deep into the game. That occurred with 12 minutes remaining when Loma forward Katie Pedlowe gained control and drove to the Cougar box. She then flicked the ball to Gregory who found the back of the APU net.

"It was an incredible goal," said Hall. "Up to that point I am thinking 'here we go again'. Every time I play APU I am expecting double overtime."

The Sea Lions played a mostly defensive game – as did APU. PLNU took just four shots all day, three of which were on goal while the Cougars attempted just eight shots. Only one APU try was on target and that was turned back by keeper Tiffany Kracy.

Saturday was the seventh-consecutive match that PLNU has kept the opposition from scoring. The last time the Sea Lion defense was cracked was on August 31; a span of 549 minutes.

"We played great on defense and so-so on offense," said Hall. "I thought that we were a little flat for some of the second half. Once that goal was scored, though, their energy picked up quite a bit. These girls can play with anyone and now they know that."

The Sea Lions host San Diego Christian for a GSAC tilt on Wednesday that starts at 4:00 p.m.

"I told the girls to enjoy today," said Hall. "But they better put it behind them on Monday. It doesn't matter at all when we play San Diego Christian. If we want to win conference we have to play like we want it every game."