(SAN RAFAEL, Calif.) PLNU Women's Soccer made one final statement on Saturday to further its case as a top-two seed in the upcoming NCAA West Regional, defeating Dominican 3-0 on the road in the team's PacWest finale.
Point Loma (12-2-4 overall, 7-1-2 PacWest), ranked second in the West Region, recorded its third-straight shutout win to close the regular season before the Sea Lions will learn of their postseason fate on Monday afternoon.
"We've been working towards hosting and are eager to see what the decision is on Monday," Head Coach
Kristi Kiely said. "I think we've put ourselves in a good spot to do so but either way, we look forward to the postseason."
Alison Pepper scored twice in the first half, to take her season tally to a team-high seven goals, before
Taylor Christenson scored her first collegiate goal in the second half to seal the three points.
"All things considered, the team played well today," Kiely said. "This has been the year of 'next man up' between injuries and sickness, and this weekend was no different. Well done to the group, as different people stepped up and played well."
Pepper's first goal came in the 14th minute after a nice passage of play from the Sea Lions. Center back
Lauren O'Malley played a nifty one-two with
Samantha Wilson before finding forward
Jillian Tubbs centrally. Tubbs then spun around and slipped Pepper through on the left side of the box to calmly finish inside the far post.
Point Loma's second came from Pepper as well 20 minutes later. A strong defensive effort from Pepper won the ball back for the Sea Lions on the left flank, with Pepper then driving to the byline. From a tight angle, she sent an effort toward goal that was deflected from a sliding defender and into the back of the net.
Christenson then got on the scoresheet for the first time in her Sea Lion career off an assist from
Zoe Crockett. Wilson played a through ball at the top of the box to Crockett, whose shot was saved but only into the path of the left back Christenson for her to slot home.
"Pepper had two great goals today and Zoe set Taylor up quite well for her first collegiate goal," Kiely said.
Freshman goalkeeper
Julia Pinnell made seven saves in the net before
Rachel Fong came on to preserve PLNU's third-straight clean sheet.
"Julia had the best game of her career today in goal for us," Kiely said. "She came up with important saves."
Point Loma now awaits to hear its postseason fate on Monday, when the NCAA announces the six teams who will play in the West Regional.
