SAN DIEGO---While the Point Loma Sea Lions (8-0-1 overall, 4-0-0 PacWest) have developed a reputation as one of the conference's top teams, that often means they get the best out of their opponents. Thursday afternoon was no different as they used a single goal in the second half to continue their unbeaten streak with 1-0 win over the Dominican Penguins (2-4-1 overall, 1-2-0 PacWest) on the PLNU Soccer Field.
 
It was another scoreless first half that created some drama for the later minutes, proving again how the Sea Lions receive the best effort from their opponents.
 
"I felt like Dominican started better than we did." Point Loma Head Coach Kristi Kiely reflected after the match. "They were first to the ball. We created a lot of chances in the first half, which was great. A lot more on goal than we have been recently, and that's what we want to be doing.
 
The scoreless first half was controlled by Point Loma, who outshot Dominican 9-1 with five coming on goal. Penguin's keeper Nicole Maler preserved the shutout making four saves, including a pair of tough Sea Lion shots that were destined for goal.
 
Dominican was aggressive from a physicality stand point and was whistled for six fouls in the first half, but found a way to slow the Point Loma pace.
 
Still, the Sea Lions created three corners while the Penguins were unable to create a set piece on the attacking side in the first half.
 
Dominican had their best chance three minutes into the second half, when Tanya Bills was jockeying behind the Sea Lion's defense and lifted a shot off of the left post just past the fingers of Emma Hinson. The ricochet came back to Bills who left the second chance wide left, maintaining the draw.
 
The Sea Lions had another shot to break the scoreless draw but Maler touched the ball beyond the post for another corner.
 
Point Loma finally broke through in the 68^th minute, when a cross setup Hailey Clifford in front of goal. Maler made another difficult diving save, but the carom landed at the feet of freshman Pyper Slattery, who tapped home the goal in the middle of the open net.
 
"So fun for Pyper, who's been out for a while now, to get her first collegiate goal," Kiely commented. "Well earned, she's been training well in recent days that she's been back with us. That was fantastic."
 
It's the first career goal for Slattery, as her impact came within seven minutes on the pitch.
 
The Sea Lions conclude their final home-stand on Saturday, October 16th, facing the Holy Names Hawks at 11:30am. They will be home for one more contest in November after a three-match road trip in Hawaii.