AZUSA, Calif. - What a way to end the season! The Point Loma men's soccer team had not defeated Azusa Pacific since 2004 prior to last season, and all of a sudden the Sea Lions are looking for their first-ever winning streak against the Cougars thanks to this group of seniors that have truly turned around this program.
 
Tonight (Nov. 4) the Sea Lions went on the road and defeated their rivals Azusa Pacific in double overtime, 2-1, on a game-winning goal by Eduardo Gallardo.
 
Gallardo, who has a flair for the dramatic with five career game-winning goals including three in overtime, scored in the 106th minute on a shot past the keeper from the top of the box off an assist from Patrice Glaser. The Sea Lions stormed the field, piling on Gallardo and hugging one another in celebration on a great way to end the season.
 
"This was a really fun game and the guys played really well," said Point Loma head coach Phil Wolf. "To draw would have been really harsh. I am glad we got the result and give the seniors had a good way to go out."
 
While no one would say it is the final step, another piece was put into the puzzle of rebuilding a PLNU men's soccer team that won just two matches in the season before coach Wolf brought in the members of this senior class.
 
Tyler Allen, Brady Johansen, Steven Velazquez, Nico Tagaloa, Michael Lambert and Joshua Eusebio have all been four-year letterwinners for the Sea Lions. Patrice Glaser and Andrew Ritchie joined PLNU for two seasons. Keyran Kelly was at Point Loma for one season.
 
The Sea Lions initially got the lead on a penalty kick by Glaser in the 66th minute. It was his second goal of the season. APU answered with the equalizer in the 73rd minute to send the game to overtime.
 
Point Loma could have had a few more goals on the board as it outshot the Cougars 19-6 in the contest, including 7-2 on shots on goal. The Sea Lions defense didn't even allow APU to get off a hot in the overtime periods.
 
"I was proud of the seniors for finishing off the year the way they did," Wolf explained. "They could have folded but they stuck to it."
 
The Sea Lions finished the season winning four straight and going undefeated in their last seven matches (6-0-1). PLNU completes the 2016 season at 9-5-4 and 8-4-1 in the PacWest. The loss leaves APU below .500 on the season at 6-7-4 (6-5-2 PacWest).
 
"This was a tough year and our guys deserve better," Wolf added. "I was glad to see us finish on that note. There are still improvements to be made but I like the direction this program is headed."