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SAN DIEGO -- PLNU fell short to Cal Poly Pomona Thursday afternoon 2-1 in the 2012 women's soccer season opener for both squads.

The visiting Broncos started off strong and fast, scoring their first goal just 2 minutes and 35 seconds into the contest. Senior middle Veronica Ramos got the goal with an assist by senior middle Cindy Paez.

Before anyone had settled back into their seats, Point Loma countered with an unassisted score by senior forward Brooke Winklepleck at 3:02.
 
The next 30 minutes of the game remained uneventful with no goals until shortly before the end of the half. At the 39:33 mark Bronco sophomore forward Aneska Alino got a shot past PLNU keeper Tiffany Kracy, assisted by Paez. Cal Poly Pomona, an NCAA Division II school out of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, took a 2-1 lead into the break.

Point Loma head coach Tim Hall said he “felt like it was a really slow first half for us, I don't think we were ready to play, first game jitters maybe."
 
But the Sea Lions seemed to shake those nerves off in the second half. Point Loma was able to control the ball more and put pressure on Cal Poly but could not seem to follow through on opportunities for a score. The half remained scoreless until the end, starting the Sea Lions' season off with a record of 0-1.
 
“We just couldn't recover from that first half. I'm encouraged with this group, we just need to get fitter and I think we'll get there” said Hall.
 
Next match for Hall's team is this Saturday, September 1, when the Sea Lions host Colorado Christian, starting at 11:00 a.m.