SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma women's soccer team closed out its non-conference schedule with a 1-0 victory over Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
 
Cori Deason provided the match's lone goal in the 76th minute when she beat the Cougars' goalie to the ball off a flicked header pass from Rachel Witz and poked it into the net for her team-leading second goal of the season.
 
"Cori's goal was in the run of play and she had some grit to get her toe on it to get the ball in the goal," PLNU head coach Tim Hall explained. "It was an absolutely fantastic goal."
 
Deason's goal was the highlight of a strong second half of play for the Sea Lions in which they controlled the over 70 percent of the time on the Cougars' half of the field and seized control of the match even before the goal.
 
"At halftime we talked about our forwards holding the ball and our midfielders getting more involved," said Hall. "We talked about it but they executed it on the field. That is why I think the second half was such a good testament of how we can play soccer."
 
Point Loma's defense was dominant once again. It held CSUSM to just four shots (one on goal) and the Cougars never looked comfortable offensively. Ariel Oriarte earned her third shutout of the season, making one save, as PLNU completed non-conference play with just two goals allowed in five matches. They also allowed just 23 shots in those five matches while the Sea Lion offense has taken 61.
 
"The win today was a good momentum builder going into conference," Hall said. "I am proud of the way the girls played today. I felt they played good soccer. We just have to find a way to put the ball in the net more."
 
PLNU completes its non-conference schedule (all against California Collegiate Athletic Association schools) at 3-2-0. Cal State San Marcos drops to 0-2-2 on the season.
 
"I am not satisfied with our results (during the non-conference)," Hall added. "I felt like the matches we shouldn't have lost the matches lost but we'll take it and move on. We didn't perform across the board to our potential during those matches but we learned a lot about our team. We'll take the 3-2 over 2-3. We have some room for growth but I am proud of them."
 
The Sea Lions will take an 11-day competition hiatus before opening PacWest play at Dixie State on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:00 a.m.