HONOLULU, Hawaii--- Hailey Clifford provided the only goal needed as the #17 Point Loma Sea Lions (11-0-1 overall, 7-0-0 PacWest) beat the Chaminade Silverswords (4-5 overall, 2-3 PacWest) 1-0 Monday morning at Saint Louis High School.
"Honestly, I'm so proud of the girls," Point Loma Head Coach Kristi Kiely said. "We're trying to move the ball quickly and we're doing that pretty well. We're trying to put an emphasis on the first 15-20 minutes in terms of what we're trying to do. The conditions were difficult and difficult to create good opportunities. But we are moving the ball well and quickly."
Clifford's goal came in the 70th minute after the Sea Lions, once again, peppered their opposition with chances in the first half.
One of the biggest differences on Monday for Point Loma, however, was their seven first half shots put just two on goal. The Sea Lions did have one of their chances waived off due to an offside.
The chances in the second half evened out, but Point Loma put all three of theirs on goal, including a chance that had the Sea Lions on the attacking third in the 69th minute.
Jillian Tubbs corralled a clearance along the far side line and played the ball into Abby Schmidt, who touched the ball past the backline catching Clifford in stride. Clifford took a touch before beating the keeper to the far post.
"We had a few passes and a few key passes." Kiely said. "Abby's ball to Hailey was brilliant. Hailey's run was brilliant. Hailey's finish was clinical. It's fun to see your work show up in that kind of way."
That would be all that Point Loma would need as Emma Hinson and the backline combined for the clean sheet to extend the Sea Lion's unbeaten streak to 33 PacWest contests.
Kiely credits the whole team, while pointing out Mara Sovde's contribution, as to the success of the Point Loma defense.
"We talk a lot defensive responsibilities for everyone." Kiely said." Not just for our backs. Our backs deal with a lot of pressure. They have the pressure of having ball and beginning attack. And they have the pressure of dealing with whatever our opposition is going to throw at us. Our mids press well and forwards press well. Mara in particular was really solid today and she had a lot of work to do."
Point Loma will island hop before Wednesday's Hawaii finale when they take on Hawaii-Hilo at 3:00pm PT.
