[Photo gallery]

SAN DIEGO - Playing in front of the hometown crowd on Family Weekend, the Point Loma women's soccer team got an early score from Makenna Herrero and an insurance goal from Julia Glaser to defeat Azusa Pacific, 2-0, and remaining perfect in PacWest play (3-0).
 
From the opening touch PLNU seemed to be playing with more energy. Its efforts paid off in the seventh minute when Herrero finished a loose ball in the box for her second goal in as many weeks. The combination of Glaser and Abbi Swanson would net another score for the Sea Lions off a header in the 33rd minute to put Point Loma up 2-0.
 
The defense, which was solid all match, held Azusa Pacific to just three shots the rest of the way to record the clean sheet. Emma Hinson had two saves, and APU's Jennifer Kovisto made five saves.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (6-4-0, 3-0-0 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (5-4-1, 1-2-0 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
With the win, PLNU remains in sole possession of first place in the PacWest standings. The Sea Lions are the only team with three wins and nine points. The loss leaves APU with three points. They are tied with six other teams for fourth place in the standings.

Words from Coach Kiely
On the match: "This was a very typical match for two rival teams competing at the top of the conference. Both teams are strong and competitive. There is always a lot of emotion in these matches, so I felt the beginning was not the prettiest soccer, but it was a very good game."
 
On the Sea Lions' start: "I thought we started well with a little more 'bite' to them than our last match against APU. That changed things for us and set the tone for the match."
 
On bouncing back against APU: "The set up is a little funky with having to play them twice in three weeks. It is a tough timetable to be able to come back and play them. We are thankful to get the one that counts towards postseason."
 
On completing the shutout: "At halftime we talked about what would be progress for this match, and progress was keeping the same energy and mentality, and not dropping off at all. I was very pleased with the effort all the way around. It felt like it mattered to us for 90 minutes today."
 
On the goals and the team's effort: "It was great getting Julia back, and it was awesome for Makenna to take and get that goal. She has been doing extra work, and it is nice to see that labor rewarded. Abbi Swanson showed up in tremendous ways today. Honestly, I could go through every player that stepped on the field today and be very pleased with their performance."  
 
Scoring Summary
06:08 - PLNU GOAL: Makenna Herrero (unassisted) [PLNU 1, APU 0]
32:15 - PLNU GOAL: Julia Glaser (Abbi Swanson) [PLNU 2, APU 0]
 
News and Notes
> Point Loma is now 6-0-1 all-time at home in PacWest play under coach Kiely
> The Sea Lions are 5-2-1 against Azusa Pacific while both teams have been in NCAA Division II
> Seven of PLNU's eight shots were on target
> This was Julia Glaser's first match since playing at APU on Sept. 26
 
Next
The Point Loma women's soccer team will be at home again on Thursday, Oct. 17, to face Notre Dame de Namur at 1 p.m. in a critical PacWest Conference match.