HAYWARD, Calif. - What could Eduardo Gallardo possibly do to top his PacWest Player of the Week performance from last week? How about post his first career hat-trick in a crucial, must-win road match? The senior did just that. He scored three times against Holy Names to lead the No. 2 regionally ranked Point Loma men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory, and extend the school-record unbeaten streak to 15 matches.
 
Gallardo allowed PLNU to breathe a little easier right from start as he scored his first goal in the second minute on an assist from Matias Rodriguez. He would add his other goals just four minutes apart in the second half to extend the lead to 3-0. He now scored in five straight matches.  
 
Team Records
Point Loma (13-2-2, 10-0-2 PacWest), Holy Names (2-14-1, 2-9-1 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The Sea Lions took care of business to bring the PacWest title down to the results of Saturday's contest. PLNU is in second place in the PacWest standings with 32 points, two back of PacWest-leader California Baptist (15-0-2, 11-0-1 PacWest). The Sea Lions will need to win their next match and have CBU either lose or tie against Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday to earn their first PacWest title. The loss keeps Holy Names in 12th place with seven points.
 
The Turning Point
Even with the 1-0 lead, Point Loma was still not playing with a comfortable advantage. The team came out of halftime and Gallardo posted two quick goals to extend the lead to 3-0. Those goals not only put the match essentially out of reach but also allowed PLNU to rotate some guys off the pitch.
 
Wolf's Words
On the early goal: "To get out on a good note is even more important in these types of matches. It helps take some of the pressure off in a match that we needed full points."
 
On the team: "I thought the guys all played well tonight and it was a good team performance."
 
On Gallardo: "He really solved a lot of problems for us with his ability to get goals. He is doing great at the '9'. He is very dangerous and he is scoring goals, which we really need him to do."
 
On what's at stake: "This is a group that knows what is at stake. It is a very determined group that wants to finish at the top of the conference and make the NCAA Tournament. We know we need some help but we want to be their ready if we get that opportunity."
 
Scoring Summary
1:23 - PLNU GOAL: Eduardo Gallardo (Matias Rodriguez) [PLNU 1, HNU 0]
49:55 - PLNU GOAL: Eduardo Gallardo (unassisted) [PLNU 2, HNU 0]
53:49 - PLNU GOAL: Eduardo Gallardo (Chris Reingen) [PLNU 3, HNU 0]
75:46 - HNU GOAL: Michel Hernandez (Ika Kvavilashvili) [PLNU 3, HNU 1]
 
News and Notes
> The nine goals for Gallardo this season are the most for a Sea Lion in a single-season since 2008 (Duach Jock)
> Gallardo has either scored or assisted on the last seven Sea Lion goals
> This was the Sea Lions' first hat-trick since Nico Tagaloa in last year's senior game
> Gallardo is the 15th PLNU men's soccer student-athlete to register a hat-trick
> The 13 wins are just one short of tying the school record (14-6-1) which was set in 1998
 
Up Next
The Point Loma men's soccer team will be back in action on Saturday (Nov. 4) at Academy of Art. The match will kick off at 2:30 p.m.