LA JOLLA, Calif. - The Point Loma women's soccer team pulled off one of the biggest upset in program history, and by far its most impressive at the NCAA level, as it upset No. 1 seed, UC San Diego, 1-0, in the semifinals of the NCAA West Regional. (Nov. 23)
 
Chase Bibbey scored the game-winning goal in the 29th minute off a free kick. Abbi Swanson sent the free kick into the box where it caromed off a couple of players before Julia Glaser collected it and laid it off towards Bibbey's left foot. Bibbey spun on her left foot and delivered a low and hard shot with her right. The speed and perfect position of the shot gave the goalie no chance as the ball flew into the low-right corner of the net.
 
That goal put the Sea Lions in the driver's seat, and they responded impressively. PLNU outplayed UCSD over the next 60 minutes, with better looks on goal and more energy, to become just the third team to shutout the Tritons all season. Emma Hinson had six saves in the win to help Point Loma earn its fifth shutout in its last seven matches.
 
Team Records
#5 Point Loma (14-4-2), #1 UC San Diego (16-2-1)
 
Playoff Implications
The Sea Lions will advance to the NCAA Regional Championship on Dec. 5. Point Loma will face the winner of No. 3 seed Western Washington and No. 7 seed Cal State LA. The game will be played at the location of the highest remaining seed in the West Region.

Words from Coach Kiely and the student-athletes
[Complete postgame press conference]
On Bibbey's goal: "Not only did she scored the goal, but she stepped in and played 90 minutes. She has not done that yet this season. She has not been healthy enough to be able to do that and she's worked her way back. She was still needed to get up to the speed of play of the college game and figure out what it looks like to play 180 minutes in 72 hours. She took that time, she put her head down, and she's done the work. It has been so fun to have her stepping up. It's been next person up. Who's ready?!"
 
On the shutout: "We were able to draw on experiences from last yea,r and just say 'hey we got to retain this lead so here the things we need to do.'  Emma was fantastic and a backline was phenomenal. I could go through every person. I thought Courtney was absolutely superb in the first half and Lauren was big in the second half. What a pair they've turned into."
 
On UC San Diego: "They were playing for a lot today. This was their last opportunity at the NCAA Division II level and they're probably still hungry from last year when they made it to the final four.  They wanted to go out on top."
 
On the Sea Lions: "I think though this is where last year's results came into play significantly. It was moment that we got to learn. It was fun to see Bella Diaz and Madelon Denbaugh so excited after the game. I think I look at them and go have you helped us get here. Last year's game gave us the experience and motivation."

Scoring Summary
28:56 - PLNU GOAL: Chase Bibbey (Julia Glaser) [PLNU 1, UCSD 0]

News and Notes
> The 30 wins for the Sea Lions are the second-most for a two-year stretch in program history (31, 2011-12)
> This was Chase Bibbey's first career goal
> This was the Sea Lions' first shutout in the NCAA playoffs
> PLNU now has two wins in this regional after having just one regional win in its first three regional appearances
> UCSD had not lost at home since Sept. 11, 2016
> The Tritons eliminated PLNU in the semifinals of the 2018 NCAA West Regional after scoring three unanswered goals
> This was the fifth straight season PLNU and UCSD have played, and this was the first win for the Sea Lions
> This was UC San Diego's final game as an NCAA Division II program
 
Next
The Point Loma women's soccer team will wait to see where the NCAA Regional Championship will be held. If No. 3 seed Western Washington defeats No. 7 seed Cal State LA in the over regional semifinal tomorrow at 1 p.m., the match will be held in Bellingham, Wash. Otherwise the match will be played at PLNU.