SAN DIEGO - During his four-year career, Eduardo Gallardo has always had a flair for the dramatic. While not always thought of as the most dangerous threat for the Sea Lions by the opposition, he has always had a knack for posting the critical goal. Today he added to his legacy, as he notched his seventh career game-winning goal in the 73rd minute to lift the Point Loma men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Dominican. (Sept. 28)
 
Gallardo, who is now tied for third in school history in game-winning goals, scored off a great pass centering pass from Mitch Wheelon late in the second half. His shot came from just inside the box and it snuck just out of the reach of the Penguins' keeper for the score. This was the fourth straight 1-0 win for Point Loma, and their sixth consecutive victory overall. The Sea Lions are now tied with Dixie State and Concordia for first place in the PacWest with nine points.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (6-2-0, 3-0-0 PacWest), Dominican (3-4-0, 0-3-0 PacWest)
 
The Turning Point
While the goal was the difference in the match, the turning point came in the 58th minute when a second student-athlete from Dominican picked up a red card. This meant the Penguins would be playing 9v11 the rest of the way. PLNU broke through less than 15 minutes later with the game-winning goal.
 
Wolf's Words
On the match: "This was a grind. When a team goes two men down there is only one tactic and that is to sit deep. We had to work to break them down and it took us a while, but thankfully Mitch and Eddie found a way through."
 
On Gallardo: "He is a senior and this is their team. He gets to do what he wants on the field and obviously for him to take that chance was huge."
 
On the shutout: "This was not a comfortable clean sheet but it is a clean sheet nonetheless. We have won four straight 1-0 matches so we are doing something right but it doesn't make it easy."
 
On keeping winning streak going: "We have to keep focusing and getting better every day. We are going to be beat up and tired after this match so we also need to make sure we can get our legs back under us for Saturday."
 
On NDNU: "Saturday is going to be a massive match. They have two really special players up top and we are going to be a lot asked of us, but I believe in these guys and they are doing a really good job."
 
Scoring Summary
72:39 - PLNU GOAL: Eduardo Gallardo (Mitch Wheelon) [PLNU 1, DUC 0]
 
News and Notes
> PLNU has held opponents scoreless for the past 394 consecutive minutes
> The match featured eight yellow cards and two reds. Both red cards when against DUC, as well as six yellows
> Neither team has ever won three straight in the series
> PLNU is now 6-3-1 all-time vs. the Penguins
> Both Gallardo's goals this season have been game-winners
> All six wins for PLNU this season have come by just one goal
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions will put their winning streak on the line this Saturday (Sept. 30) in a PacWest Conference match against Notre Dame de Namur. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.