box score

SAN DIEGO – The NAIA No. 8-ranked Sea Lions defeated the visiting Fresno Pacific Sunbirds 2-1 on a sunny and beautiful Saturday afternoon at PLNU Field. Point Loma Nazarene remains unbeaten on the season with a record of 11-0-1 and improved to 3-0 against teams in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

The Sunbirds struck first, with a strange score in the seventh minute. Demi Hamilton headed in a cross from Jae Slocum – a shot that took an odd angle and got past Sea Lion keeper Tiffany Kracy. It was the first goal against the PLNU defense in 754 minutes, a span of longer that eight matches. The last time Loma's D was cracked was in August.

Loma forward Katie Pedlowe answered with a goal in minute 23, with an assist from Erica Wessels. Pedlowe took seven shots in the game, five on goal. It was Pedlowe's fourth goal of the season and pulled the Sea Lions even with the Sunbirds.

Wessels got the second goal of the game in minute 30. The goal was made off of a penalty kick after Fresno's goalie, Sarah King, took down a Sea Lion player in the box. Wessles, the NAIA National Defender of the Week, put what would be the game-winner just inside the left post. It was Wessels' fourth goal of the season.

Despite some chances over the remaining 60 minutes of play, Point Loma's 2-1 advantage held up.

FPU took seven shots, four being shots on goal. Kracy turned back three attempts; King made seven saves to keep the game close.

The Sunbirds fell to 5-3 overall, 1-2 GSAC.

Point Loma will travel to Vanguard University on Wednesday for their fourth GSAC tilt of the season starting at 3:00 PM.