Box Score SAN DIEGO - The Sea Lions finally got the bounce they were looking for since coach
Phil Wolf took over.
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Things were not looking good for the Point Loma men's soccer team for nearly the entire second half as they were stuck in a scoreless tie with Academy of Art after missing numerous scoring opportunities in the first half. Then came the bounce in the Sea Lions' favor.
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With the clock ticking down the Urban Knights sent the ball toward PLNU goal keeper
Avrin Yakou who cleared the ball into the middle of the field toward an ART U player. However, the ball went right under his foot to
Matt Rose for a 1-v-1 situation with the goalie and he would not miss the chance as he rocketed in a shot to give Point Loma the 1-0 win on the goal with just 48 seconds remaining.
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"As
Matt Steinhaus said 'I feel this is the first real break we have had in the past three years.'" Said Point Loma head coach
Phil Wolf. "I feel so much went against us these last three years, and you hate to see a kid make a mistake like that but today Matt (Rose) was good enough to take a chance and he took it."
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This extended the Sea Lions (4-7-2, 4-3-1 PacWest) undefeated streak to five matches. They have won three straight matches, during which they have never trailed and have allowed just one goal. The loss drops the Urban Knights to 4-8 on the season and to 2-4 in the Pacific West Conference.
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While the finish was one none of the fans nor the members of the team will forget, it was a little closer than coach Wolf would have liked as the Sea Lions could not finish some very good looks in the first half when they outshot ART U 4-0 in shots on goal.
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"We could have been up 3-0 in the first half but the lesson is 'if you don't take your chances you leave it open," said Wolf.
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After halftime it was the Urban Knights that controlled the game. They outshot PLNU 10-6, including 4-2 in shots on goal. They also had five corner kicks to the Sea Lions' one.
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"They were much better than us in the second half," Wolf added. "T
hey played really well."Â
However, ART U never scored either, leaving the door open to Rose for the heroic finish. Â
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"We are not going to take it for granted when we win in this program," said Wolf. "It has been hard for three years and whenever you start getting some wins in a row you are feeling pretty good about it."
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Avrin Yakou had four saves for the Sea Lions and also added an assist on the game-winning goal. Alejandro Escobedo had six saves for the Urban Knights.
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The Sea Lions will now be off for a week before returning to action next Saturday at home against Dixie State at 11:00 a.m. The match will be part of Community Day and admission to the event will be free to all.Â