SAN DIEGO - Fresno Pacific came to the PLNU Soccer Field on Saturday (Sept. 22) for the Sea Lions' PacWest Conference opener, and stunned the Point Loma men's soccer team with a 3-2 victory.
 
The Sunbirds jumped on PLNU early with a goal in the third minute. Point Loma seemed like it was going to put in the equalizer but each attack was thwarted by the defense. FPU then got a chance to counter in the 34th minute and took advantage of it with another goal to lead 2-0 at the half. When the ball was kicked off in the second half, Fresno Pacific took no time going back on the attack. Reece Rivera was able to work his way into the 18-yard box and lay off a pass to Jesse Hoekstra for the goal 21 seconds into the new period.
 
Point Loma got one goal back in the 81st minute on a free kick by Tim Siegfried. Just one minute later, Siegfried was connecting on a penalty kick to make it 3-2, after Indiana Fuller was dragged down in the box by the goalkeeper.  However, Point Loma could not find that last piece of magic and fell at home to a PacWest opponent for the first time in nearly two years.  
 
Team Records
Point Loma (4-3-0, 0-1-0 PacWest), Fresno Pacific (4-1-1, 2-1-0 PacWest)
 
Turning Point
The third goal by Fresno Pacific was the difference maker. Not only did it give FPU the decisive advantage, but it occurred right after the Sea Lions made their halftime adjustments.
 
Wolf's Words
On the problems Fresno Pacific presented: "They sat deep and played us on the break. They were superb and we were the second-best team today."
 
On the two late goals: "I don't take much solace in the fact we didn't give up today, I am more disappointed that it took us 80 minutes to actually care. The fact that we can't find 'that' earlier in the game is shocking to me."
 
On future matches: "We are in league play now so every game is not just 3 points, it is 6 points. They get the 3 points and we get none, so that is a big, big swing. We just have to figure our group out."
 
Scoring Summary
2:44 - FPU GOAL: Velarde, Anthony (unassisted) [FPU 1, PLNU 0]
33:48 - FPU GOAL: Ravasio, Joao (Velarde, Anthony) [FPU 2, PLNU 0]
45:21 - FPU GOAL: Hoekstra, Jesse (Rivera, Reece) [FPU 3, PLNU 0]
80:39 - PLNU GOAL: Tim Siegfried (unassisted) [FPU 3, PLNU 1]   
81:43 - PLNU GOAL: Tim Siegfried (Penalty kick) [FPU 3, PLNU 2]
 
News and Notes
> PLNU had not allowed three goals at home since the second match of the 2017 season to Cal State LA
> This is Point Loma's first PacWest-loss since Oct. 8, 2016
> Tim Siegfried now has four goals and an assist in his last three matches
> Point Loma outshot FPU 13-8
> PLNU has allowed 10 goals this year after allowing just 15 for the entire 2017 season
> Siegfried scored two goals within 64 seconds in this match and Indiana Fuller scored two goals within 62 seconds on Wednesday vs. Biola
 
Up Next
The Point Loma men's soccer team will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 27 when it travels to Notre Dame de Namur. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon.