SAN DIEGO – The long-anticipated return to Point Loma women's soccer in the fall was delayed two extra days, but it was worth the wait as the Sea Lions claimed a 1-0 victory and coach Kristi Kiely earned her 100th career win on a goal by Alana Diaz to defeat San Francisco State at home on Saturday afternoon. (Sept. 4)
 

In the last full season of women's soccer, Point Loma advanced all the way to the NCAA West Regional Championship Match and then went undefeated last fall. Now, the Sea Lions have started the 2021 season on the right note with yet another shutout victory, marking the team's 10th shutout in 14 matches.
 

"From the start, I knew our energy was high," Diaz said after the match. "We wanted to win, and that's what we did. It felt amazing."
 

Point Loma dominated possession of the ball, pushing into the Gators' half of the field throughout the match. The Sea Lions had possession for 59% of the match and outshot San Francisco State, 9-3. The first two shots of the match missed wide, but the Sea Lions got on the board with the third shot.
 

Diaz got a pass from Mara Sovde and shot with her left foot from the left side of the box and tucked her shot into the right side of the net for the goal. It was not only the Sea Lions' first goal of the season, but also the first collegiate goal of Diaz's career.
 

"There was a little of a scramble in the box and Alana was quick to it and slotted it very well" head coach Kristi Kiely said. "You have to take advantage of the opportunities you get, and that was one of ours, and I'm happy for her to get on the stat sheet."
 

"Naomi had a great throw-in and then it went off my head and deflected off SF State," Sovde said. "I got it back and then deflected it to Alana, and she put it away."
 

Diaz started the game on the bench and Kiely put her into the game in the 21st minute. Just nine minutes later, the freshman scored the game-winning goal for the Sea Lions and remained on the pitch for the duration of the competition.
 

"San Francisco State did a tremendous job today," Kiely said. "I thought they played very well, and it was a good match for us. It feels good to get a win, and they were a good challenge for us."

The Sea Lions limited San Francisco State's scoring opportunities, holding the Gators to just three shots. Only one of the shots was on goal, and Emma Hinson got the save to preserve the 22nd career shutout for the PacWest Goalkeeper of the Year. Naomi Ellis and Lauren O'Malley also played important parts in the shutout, playing all 90 minutes on the backline.
 

"Emma and Lauren have been anchoring for us for years, and they're starting off where the left off," Kiely said. "Jensen Shrout, Emma Thrapp, Chase Bibbey and Naomi all had a great game. I'm proud of them."
 

Point Loma is now 1-0 on the season, while San Francisco State drops to 0-2 after having lost to Azusa Pacific on Thursday. Kiely now has a 35-7-3 record since becoming the head coach at Point Loma in 2018. That is the second-most wins by any active NCAA Division II West Region women's soccer team in that span.
 

"It feels great to start the season with a win, and I can't wait to keep it going," Diaz said.
 

The victory also secured the 100th win in coach Kristi Kiely's career. The Sea Lions' fourth-year head coach registered 65 wins at Westmont and 35 at PLNU. 
 

The Sea Lions will next play against Cal State LA, which will play its season opener tonight against Concordia. The Golden Eagles were picked third in the CCAA Preseason Poll after receiving a spot in the NCAA postseason in 2019.

Postgame interview with Alana Diaz and Mara Sovde