(WAIPAHU, Hawai'i)
Marlon Buck and
Juan Salazar each scored their team-leading fifth goal of the season to lead PLNU Men's Soccer to a 2-0 shutout win over Hawai'i Pacific on Wednesday night.
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With the win, Point Loma (8-4 overall, 4-1 PacWest) assumes sole possession of first place in the PacWest standings with 12 points from five matches played at the halfway point of the conference season.
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PacWest Player of the Week Buck, who scored twice in Monday's win over Chaminade, earned his third start of the year against HPU and rewarded Head Coach
Phil Wolf's faith by continuing his hot scoring form.
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The Vienna, Austria native wasted no time getting the Sea Lions on the board, with his fourth-minute goal giving Point Loma an early lead.
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PLNU maintained its one-goal advantage until Salazar made it 2-0 in the 71st minute off an assist from
Zachary Mercieca.
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Finn Simmersbach made three saves in goal to earn the shutout, the Sea Lions' fourth of the season, as PLNU outshot HPU 9-3 overall and 6-3 in shots on goal.
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Point Loma concludes its trip to the Aloha State on Saturday at Hawai'i Hilo. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. HT.