SAN DIEGO - Jennifer Ballez sent all the Sea Lions fans home happy as the senior scored in the 75th minute to lift the Point Loma women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Cal State San Marcos in its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 2.
 
All day the Cal State San Marco keeper Bailey Cockrill had been sneaking up high on the field to cut off the Sea Lions' attacks, but Ballez finally made her pay in the 75th minute. Ballez outraced Cockrill to a ball just outside the right side of the box and knocked it into the open net from 18 yards out. Point Loma earned its first win of the season despite being outshot 5-3 on shots on goal, and 11-7 overall.
 
Team Records
PLNU (1-1-0), CSUSM (1-1-0)
 
The Turning Point
Ballez's goal proved to be the game-winner. After PLNU got on the board they controlled the game and even opened up more scoring opportunities. CSUSM had the shot at an equalizer off a free kick but committed a penalty before the ball found the back of the net.
 
Words from the Hall of Wisdom
"Jen was in the right place at the right time and had no quit in her. It was a great play and I loved seeing her make that play. We played that goal very well tactically with the passes, the crosses and the through-ball by Rachel Carrell was brilliant. For Jen to finish that was very special for me because she is a senior."
 
"Cal State San Marcos is always tough. Coach Bobby Renneisen is a good coach and he built a great program there. Those women don't quit. They work hard, they fight and are physical. So for us to beat that team today was a massive win for us because they are really tough to beat."
 
"I saw our team getting stronger at the end of the game. I was really proud the women played at a good level the entire game, it wasn't always perfect, but they stayed with it. The thing I really liked was that we were able to develop some depth. We rotated a bunch of women today, and everyone that went in produced. The rotation for us was the ultimate strength for us today."
 
Scoring Summary
74:06 - PLNU GOAL: Jennifer Ballez (Rachel Carrell) [PLNU 1, CSUSM 0]
 
News and Notes
> This was the ninth straight season these two teams have met
> PLNU is 4-1-4 in the last nine contests vs. the Cougars
> Point Loma now leads the all-time series over Cal State San Marcos 7-1-4
> This was Jennifer Ballez's first career game-winning goal
> Brianna Linnell set a new career-high with five saves while recording her first career shutout
> Cal State San Marcos dominated the corner kicks 10-3 and the fouls (23-8)
 
Up Next
Point Loma be at home again on Wednesday, Sept. 6 to host Cal Poly Pomona at 4:30 p.m.
 
"Pomona is going to be good, but we can compete with these teams," noted Hall.