Photo Gallery | The goals (video)

SAN DIEGO – The Sea Lions returned to play after a 14-month hiatus from competition with a 2-0 win over Biola. Hunter Loomis and Parker Scalzo each scored a goal to propel PLNU to victory.

Parker Scalzo opened up the first half with a shot on goal that was saved by the Biola keeper in the 10^th minute. The pace of the game picked up as the first half continued on. The Sea Lions kept firing at the goal but could not convert any chances. They would end up with seven total shots with three of them being on goal.

Although PLNU was blanked in the first half that did not discourage them from firing even more shots in the second half. It took PLNU all of five minutes into the second half to get onto the scoreboard. Hunter Loomis was able to net the first Sea Lion goal in the 2020-21 season. Loomis collected a cross that got batted around inside the six-yard box and squeaked the ball through the goalkeeper's arms.

The first goal settled the first game jitters for the Sea Lions and played with more control and pace throughout the second half. In the 69th minute, the Sea Lions scored another goal after Nick Eusebio sent a perfect cross into the center of the box that found the right foot of Parker Scalzo, who sent it to the back of the net extending the Sea Lion lead 2-0.

Point Loma would hang on to win the game 2-0. Ryan Pierce and Seth Ketterer combined for the shutout in net.

Team Records
Point Loma (1-0-0, 1-0-0 PacWest), Biola (0-1-0, 0-1-0 PacWest)

Wolf's Words
On returning to play and the win: "The last time we played was Nov. 13, 2019, the guys are amped to just be out here and obviously the conditions are perfect. I feel like a pro coach because it's just been amazing."

 On the goal scorers: "We haven't even had an exhibition or a scrimmage so always a little leery of that first game. If you just look at percentages Parker had five chances, Teague had four chances, Hunter and Tim Siegfried had three chances each, and those are some good players to get chances so I think the performance was way, way beyond what I thought it was going to be."

On playing two different goalies: "The thing is we are in a much different situation than we have been in the past. We have two really good goalkeepers. You can see in our build up they are just in a better position with their feet they can hang the ball for distance. If you are going to be a serious team you have to put up some clean sheets. You are so happy when you put up clean sheets, the goals will come over time but to have that foundation, it starts with the keepers and we are pleased with them."

On the pace of play with the team: "It was chaotic in the first half which I don't think we can play as well in chaos. The second half was much more calculated. The guys had 14 months of anxiousness in their bodies so I understand. We really want to control the other team and you can't do that when it's chaotic. I thought the second half, even when we changed a lot of guys, it didn't look different and some would even say better. We got a deep and hungry group and we are really pleased."

Words from the student-athletes

Scoring summary | Video
49:22 - PLNU GOAL: Hunter Loomis [PLNU 1, BU 0]
69:04 - PLNU GOAL: Parker Scalzo (Assisted by Nick Eusebio) [PLNU 2, BU0]

News and notes
> With his assist today Nick Eusebio recorded his first collegiate point.
> Ryan Pierce and Seth Ketterer combined for the shutout today.
> The Sea Lions extended their home winning streak to six games.
> The Sea Lions have won 7 of their last 9 games dating back to 2019.
> 21 student-athletes saw action today for the Sea Lions.

Next match
The Point Loma men's soccer team will take to the road on Wednesday, Feb. 10 as they travel to Santa Barbara, Calif. to take on Westmont College.