LA MIRADA, Calif. - This team will just not give up. No matter the odds, no matter the situation the 2017 version of the Point Loma men's soccer team has found a way. Facing multiple deficits and trailing throughout the match, PLNU came back to stun Biola, 3-2 in overtime on their Senior Day.
 
The Sea Lions, who are ranked No. 6 in the latest West Region poll, looked like they were facing nearly an impossible task as they trailed 2-1 with less than a minute remaining on the clock. The break came the Eagles' goalie was called for a delay of game for holding the ball too long resulting in a free kick for PLNU just inside the box. Seniors Mitch Wheelon and Eduardo Gallardo for the free kick maneuver as the Sea Lions' final chance. Gallardo played the decoy and just tapped the ball on the way through as Wheelon stepped into the shot and drilled the ball low past the wall of defenders into the net to tie the match at 2-2.
 
In overtime, Gallardo again was the spark plug as he found Tim Siegfried on a run for a 1v1 with the keeper. He deposited the ball into the goal and the celebration was on.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (12-2-2, 9-0-2 PacWest), Biola (6-8-2, 5-5-1 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Point Loma is in second place in the PacWest standings with 29 points. The three points from the victory allowed the Sea Lions to jump over Notre Dame de Namur and keep pace with California Baptist, which currently leads the PacWest with 31 points. The loss keeps the Eagles in seventh place with 16 points.
 
The Turning Point
Mitch Wheelon's goal not only saved the match but possibly the Sea Lions' conference championship dreams. It was an incredible shot in a clutch situation that allowed PLNU to earn three points on the road and run its school-record unbeaten streak to 14 matches.
 
Wolf's Words
On the teams' heart: "This team keeps going, keeps believing and fights all the way till the end. You have seen a couple of results in the past two weeks that have shown the heart of this team. I am really proud of them."
 
On Gallardo's clutch play: "Eddie has been big time for us. He is a senior and been in so many big games. He has also seen the highs and lows of this program over the past four years. He is really enjoying this year and is leading the charge for our team."
 
On in-game adjustments: "We went to just three defenders on the back line when we were trying to get back into the match. After we got the equalizer I just stayed with it because I wanted to win that match. In some situations, we would go back to four (defenders) to get a point, but we were so dominant at that point I decided to stay with the three and go for full points."
 
On the free kick: "Eddie and Mitch pulled that off perfectly. We hadn't even practiced it before and they did a great job."
 
Scoring Summary
14:20 - BU GOAL: Jack Cybulski (Mattox Kousei) [BU 1, PLNU 0]
71:44 - PLNU GOAL: Eduardo Gallardo (Indiana Fuller) [PLNU 1, BU 1]
83:55 - BU GOAL: Jarrett Pugh (Riley Waldeck) [BU 2, PLNU 1]
89:13 - PLNU GOAL: Mitch Wheelon (Eduardo Gallardo) [PLNU 2, BU 2]
93:02 - PLNU GOAL: Tim Siegfried (Eduardo Gallardo) [PLNU 3, BU 2]
 
News and Notes
> This was the Sea Lions' fourth comeback victory of the season. Three of the four have come on the road.
> Gallardo has now earned a point in five straight matches to surpass Fuller for the long streak by a Sea Lion this year
> Gallardo either scored or assisted on the last four Sea Lion goals
> Both teams took 10 shots in the match
> The 12 wins are the most for PLNU since winning 13 in 2007
 
Up Next
The Point Loma men's soccer team will be back in action next Thursday (Nov. 2) when it travels to Holy Names for a 3:30 p.m. match.