[Box score]

SAN DIEGO - In a showdown of defending conference champions, the Point Loma women's soccer team got three goals to defeat California Baptist 3-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The win puts Point Loma back into a tie for first place in the PacWest standings with Dixie State (5-1-0). PLNU has won seven of its last eight matches to sit at 7-2-0 on the season. The loss was the first of the year in PacWest play for the Lancers who fell to 4-2-1 on the season and to 3-1-0 in conference.

Claire Matthews put the Sea Lions up early with a beautiful header in the 15th minute. She received a high, arching pass from Kallie Caldwell on a free kick and deposited the shot in the back of the net for her first goal of the season.

Point Loma would tack on another goal 10 minutes later on a strong individual effort from Brooke Winklepleck. Following a corner kick by CBU, PLNU cleared the ball over Winklepleck towards the Lancers' side of the field. Winklepleck raced after it as did the CBU goalie Rosie Nakata. Nakata got the first foot on the ball but it rebounded right off Winklepleck setting her up for a wide open shot which she rolled into the back of the goal.

Point Loma would take that 2-0 lead into halftime. At the 58th minute the Sea Lions would extend their lead on another set play. Caldwell took the corner kick and fed it into the box. Amanda Mitchell made first contact and pushed it to an open Nicole Craft in front of the net for the goal.

"Today we played well," said Point Loma head coach Tim Hall. "We were committed to defense today. We had good organization and I am very proud of the way we committed to the defensive plan today.

"Offensively I felt we created some good chances by holding the ball in the offensive third and being able to play with the ball up top while making them play defense," Hall continued. "The main thing today was just a huge team effort on defense."

Tiffany Kracy was the anchor on defense. She made five saves and did not allow a goal. Kracy and the Sea Lion defenders allowed 14 Lancers' shots but few really threatened to break the shutout.

"Cal Baptist is a very good team and I have always respected Kristen (St. Clair) and what she has done with her team," added Hall.

Last season, PLNU won the GSAC title and had an overall record of 19-2-4. Cal Baptist captured the PacWest title in its first year in Division II. This match also had strong implications on the NCCAA West Regional playoffs which both teams are eligible for (but are not yet eligible for NCAA playoffs).

The Point Loma women's soccer team will be home on Saturday, Oct. 6 to take on Hawaii Pacific at 1:30 p.m.

"I told the girls they need to be pleased but they need to be humble," explained Hall. "We have to go out this Saturday and play like we mean business."