HONOLULU - Madelon Denbaugh must have done a very good job initially keeping her birthday wish a secret but before the evening was done anyone could take a good guess what it was. The sophomore defender scored her first career goal and helped the Point Loma women's soccer team run its shutout streak to 788 consecutive minutes as the Sea Lions blanked Hawaii Pacific 2-0 on a birthday she will never forget. (Oct. 24)
 
Denbaugh was just part of a great team effort by the Sea Lions (10-2-3, 8-1-1 PacWest) which saw their win streak improve to seven straight matches and their shutout streak to eight straight matches in the process. The win kept PLNU tied atop the PacWest standings with Azusa Pacific. This was also the sixth straight season the Sea Lions have recorded at least 10 victories, breaking the old school record of five (2005-09).
 
Sami Swanson put Point Loma in front from the beginning with a goal just 75 seconds into the match. After a great sequence of passes the ball found Swanson's foot in the goal box and the savvy junior snuck it past the Sharks' (3-10-1, 3-6-0 PacWest) defense for the goal.
 
Denbaugh's goal in the 30th minute on a corner by Rachel Witz gave Point Loma the two-goal edge, and when the Sea Lions have put two goals on the board they have not lost in the regular season in three years. Witz made a great corner kick over the scrum in the box to the far post where Denbaugh crashed and headed the ball into the net for her first career-goal.
 
"It was a little prophetic," said Point Loma head coach Tim Hall. "The girls were talking earlier how they wanted to get Madelon a goal. It was a good corner kick and was very well executed. It was extra special for everyone."
 
With those two goals on the board the Sea Lions' defense went to work. It held the Sharks to just one shot in the contest (none on goal) to proudly put another shutout on the board.
 
"We maintained our level of defense as a unit through the game and earning the shutout is a very deal to this team," explained Hall.
 
"This is not an easy road trip but I am proud of these women because they came here for the right reasons," Hall explained. "We are staying focused on our goal and are looking things in the proper perspective."
 
Point Loma had other chances to extend the lead but could not find the extra insurance goal despite putting seven other shots on goal. It also had eight corner kicks to HPU's one.
 
PLNU will continue the road trip on Thursday, Oct. 27 against Chaminade. The match will start at 3:30 p.m. (PST)