SAN DIEGO – Point Loma Nazarene prevailed 1-0 over visiting Menlo in a hotly-contested non-conference match at PLNU Field on Thursday. The two teams combined for eight cards, including two reds. Niko Acosta scored the lone goal of the game, that coming on a penalty kick in the 56th minute of play.

It was only a few minutes after PLNU scored a goal that the team picked up a red card in a team-to-team shoving match. The Sea Lions would hold on despite being a man down for more than 20 minutes. Menlo evened things up after receiving a red in the 83^rd minute of action.

An even game throughout, the Sea Lions (1-0) did outshoot the Oaks 15-9 but both squads took four shots on goal. PLNU keeper Carter Phillips turned back four shots while his counterpart, Alex Palomorez, had three saves.

The match was scoreless until Point Loma forward Austin Fares got taken down in the box as he charged in on a breakaway attempt. With Fares shaken up, the team went to Acosta for the penalty kick try and he found paydirt in what turned out to be the game-winner.

PLNU plays next on Tuesday when they travel to crosstown San Diego Christian for a non-conference game against the Hawks. The match starts at 4:00 p.m.