SAN DIEGO - Kaiti Freeberg made her first goal of her senior season a special one as she recorded the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Hawaii Hilo on Saturday, Oct. 14.
 
Freeberg scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute when she rocketed a shot from 24 yards out into the back of the net. The defense then stymied the Vulcans the rest of the way en route to their fourth straight home shutout.
 
Team Records
PLNU (5-5-1, 4-3-0 PacWest), Hawaii Hilo (6-4-1, 3-3-1 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The three points from the victory brings the Sea Lions into a three-way tie for fifth place in the PacWest standings with 12 points. PLNU is tied with Concordia and Fresno Pacific. The win, also jumped Point Loma over Hawaii Hilo in the standings. The Vulcans are tied for eighth with 10 points.
 
The Turning Point
Freeberg's goal was the only score in the match and helped Point Loma get back to .500 on the season. It also put all the momentum in a tighten contested match onto the Sea Lions' side. They used that momentum to outshoot UHH 12-2 in the second half.
 
Words from the Hall of Wisdom
On Freeberg's goal: "We've missed Kaiti. She would have started for us all year. She is really good, and to see her come back off an injury, while staying positive, is a testament to her maturity as a young lady. It was fun to see her get that nugget of good fortune today, and I am really happy for her."
 
On team coming together: "I feel like we are a really good team and we can compete against anyone. This is just the season of major mistakes that cost us from being at the top of the table. But all that being said, we are starting to gel and our team is starting to play better. Point Loma is going to be a tough out the rest of the year."
 
On Hawaii Hilo: "Those women are really tough, fast and scrappy. They present problems, and we were fortunate to win today. They came to play today."
 
On the shutout: "Getting a shutout is huge. If we shut teams out the worst we can do is tie, but we are good for a goal or two a game. If we can shut teams out, we can be very successful."
 
Scoring Summary
35:44 - PLNU GOAL: Kaiti Freeberg (Jae Kamanu) [PLNU 1, UHH 0]
 
News and Notes
> PLNU has not allowed a goal at home in the last 385 minutes
> This victory helped avenge a loss to the Vulcans last season that kept PLNU from winning its third-straight PacWest Championship
> The Sea Lions outshot Hawaii Hilo 14-7, including 11-2 on shots on goal
> This was just the third match of the season for Freeberg
> This was the 115th win for coach Hall with the women's soccer program
> The five saves for Linnell match her second-highest total this season
 
Up Next
The Point Loma women's soccer team will be back in action on Monday, Oct. 16 when it hosts Hawaii Pacific at 1 p.m.