(SAN DIEGO) Alison Pepper gave No. 6 PLNU Women's Soccer a perfect start to the second half, but Concordia University Irvine scored on each of its two shots on goal to upset the Sea Lions by a 2-1 margin in Wednesday's non-conference match.
 
The loss is Point Loma's first of the season and first at home in almost three years. The defeat also marks the first time PLNU has lost after taking a lead since the 2018 NCAA West Region Second Round.
 
"To be fair to our group, I thought we played well the entire game," Head Coach Kristi Kiely said. "We didn't execute in either area well, in the final third specifically in the box and in the box on the defensive side, but for large spells I was very pleased with how we were playing."
 
After a scoreless first half, Pepper scored just 33 seconds into the second period to give Point Loma the lead.
 
Nicki Friedman played the ball out wide left to Pepper, who beat her defender toward the byline and then looped a shot up and over the keeper into the side netting from a tough angle.

Alison Pepper's 46th minute goal gave PLNU the lead, but CUI scored on each of its two shots on goal to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 win over the Sea Lions. pic.twitter.com/vrUQ6e62Ll

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) September 21, 2022

 
The Golden Eagles then found an equalizer 11 minutes later with a header from a corner kick.
 
The door seemed to open for Point Loma after a red card was issued to the visitors with just under 12 minutes remaining, giving PLNU a one-player advantage on the field. However, the Golden Eagles scored an unlikely winner in the 81st minute after turning the Sea Lions over in their defensive third of the field.
 
PLNU sent numbers forward in search of a tying goal, with CUI's keeper making a point-blank save from Mara Sovde who crashed inside the six-yard box to get on the end of Pepper's service.
 
But despite holding an 11-6 advantage in shots and 6-2 in shots on goal, Point Loma (4-1-2 overall) was forced to settle for a 2-1 defeat in its penultimate non-conference match before the start of PacWest play.
 
"We threw some people forward but weren't very patient in that," Kiely said. "There was a lot of time wasted because we weren't as patient. It's not a spot we've been in often, so it's good learning for us."
 
PLNU concludes its non-conference slate on Saturday at Azusa Pacific. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
"We've had a tough preseason and our girls have worked and pushed," Kiely said. "They've gotten results and played well. They've also gotten results when not playing well. They've taken care of business and this week is layering on games with two really tough opponents."