THIS WEEK
The Point Loma women's soccer team will face its toughest road test of the season when it travels to Hawaii to face four opponents in eight days which have a combined 7-2-1 record in the Pacific West Conference this season. The Sea Lions will start the road trip against Hawaii Hilo on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. (PST), and close it out the following Saturday (Oct. 11) at Chaminade.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Coverage of all four matches will be available for fans to track through live stats. Live stats for all matches are free of charge. The live stats can all be accessed through Point Loma's website at www.plnusealions.com/gameday
 
A LOOK AT THE SEA LIONS
Point Loma is one of two teams to start off PacWest play at 2-0. They sit one point back of the top spot in the PacWest standings from two teams that have both played more matches and are tied for first with seven points. The Sea Lions opened conference play with a 2-1 home win over Fresno Pacific, before going on the road to knock off Azusa Pacific 1-0. This was the Sea Lions' third win over APU in the last two seasons.
 
Shelby Murphy has game-winning goals in each of the Sea Lions' PacWest victories. She scored on a free kick late in the match against FPU and on a corner kick in the 14th minute against Azusa Pacific. Her two game-winning goals have her tied for the top spot in the conference. She and Jennifer Ballez are also tied for ninth in the PacWest with .4 goals per match (two goals on the season). Easton Kawawaki is third in shots (15). Goalie Ariel Oriarte leads the PacWest with a .312 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.  
 
ORIARTE EARNS PACWEST DEFENDER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Sophomore goal keeper Ariel Oriarte has been selected the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week for the week of Sept. 22-28. Oriarte earned her first shutout of the season in Point Loma's 1-0 win over Azusa Pacific. The San Diego native (Mira Mesa High School) made seven saves, two shy of her career-best mark, as the Point Loma defense held strong to make a goal in the 14th minute stand up for the victory over its longtime rivals.
 
A LOOK AT THE VULCANS
Hawaii Hilo currently sits tied atop the PacWest standings with a 2-0-1 conference record and seven points. UHH is 5-1-2 on the season and owns the best winning percentage in the PacWest at .750. The Vulcans' tie came against Fresno Pacific on the road. The Vulcans' 11 goals are also tied for the most in the conference. Kristine Pasek leads the PacWest with five goals this season. For more information on the Vulcans visit hiloathletics.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc&tab=soccer2 
 
A LOOK AT THE SHARKS
Hawaii Pacific is 4-2-1 this season and 1-1 in the PacWest after splitting a pair of matches in the Bay Area last weekend. They are tied for the conference lead with 11 goals on the season as they average 1.57 goals per match. The Sharks have not been shutout this season. Erika Ellis is second in the PacWest with four goals this season.  For more information on the Hawaii Pacific women's soccer team visit www.hpusharks.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc&tab=1
 
A LOOK AT THE SEASIDERS
BYU-Hawaii (3-4-0, 2-0-0 PacWest) is tied for third place in the PacWest standings with Point Loma and Chaminade (six points). The Seasiders went 2-0 last week against Dominican (CA) and Holy Names to be the only team besides the Sea Lions to start PacWest play at 2-0. The Seasiders have scored 10 goals in seven matches this year. For more information on this Seasiders visit http://byuhawaiisports.com/sports/wsoc/index
 
A LOOK AT THE SILVERSWORDS
Chaminade is 2-1 in the PacWest (2-4 overall) and tied for third in the standings with six points. They have scored just four goals this season but those all came in two matches as the Silverswords won each. For more information on the Chaminade women's soccer team visit http://www.goswords.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc
 
NEXT WEEK
Following the road trip the Sea Lions will return to PLNU for a five-match homestand running from Oct. 16-Nov. 1. They will open against Dominican (CA) on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 3:30 p.m.