Box Score

SAN DIEGO - This was the type of win that puts a smile on a coach's face. Claire Mathews and Kaiti Freeberg each scored their first goal of the season and the Sea Lions were on the attack all match in a 2-0 victory over Academy of Art on Saturday, Oct. 18.
 
This was the fifth straight shutout for PLNU which extended its scoreless streak to 474:21. With its eighth straight victory to open Pacific West Conference play, and after California Baptist tied against Dominican (CA) on Saturday, the Sea Lions (9-2-0, 8-0-0 PacWest) extended their lead in the conference standings to seven points (24-17).
 
Point Loma was on the attack right from the beginning in this match. PLNU peppered the Urban Knights' goal keeper throughout the opening half until Claire Mathews broke through with a goal in the 28th minute. The senior made a very savvy veteran move, hanging back right after PLNU lost the ball and ART U was about to go the other way, Mathews poked the ball free and fired it into the net for the goal.
 
Kaiti Freeberg would score her goal in the 40th minute to allow Point Loma to have its first comfortable lead during its winning streak. After Freeberg had a goal taken off the board earlier in the match due to an offsides call, she received a great cross from Dottie Rhoten from the left side into the middle of the box and Freeberg one-touched it into the net to give PLNU the 2-0 lead.
 
Even with the victory Point Loma stayed on the attack and even though they did not get another score the Sea Lions had multiple shots hit the crossbar and posts. They finished the game outshooting the Urban Knights 24-4, including 10-0 on shots on goal and 8-0 in corner kicks.
 
"Today the women played their best 90 minutes of soccer offensively and defensively," Point Loma head coach Tim Hall explained. "It was the first time on the bench I felt we didn't have to work as hard as coaches because our team was fired up to play, their energy levels were there and they worked hard. The tactics and technical stuff doesn't matter if you aren't working hard. This was the most complete game we played all year."
 
Freeberg led PLNU with six saves, but six Sea Lions had at least three shots apiece in the contest.
 
The Sea Lions will take a week off before returning to action next Saturday at home against Dixie State at 1:30 p.m. The match will be part of Community Day and admission to the event will be free to all.