(LOS ANGELES) No. 10 PLNU Men's Soccer pushed No. 2 Cal State Los Angeles all the way to the end in the NCAA Super Region 4 Second Round before the Golden Eagles ended the Sea Lions' historic season by a 1-0 margin.
 
With just seconds remaining in regulation, Zachary Mercieca's cross reached Felix Calero, whose difficult header just trickled wide of the far post as the clock was about to expire.
 
"I'm gutted for the guys," Head Coach Phil Wolf said. "To have to play two games in this short period of time with the second team on rest is a very difficult ask."
 
Point Loma defeated Simon Fraser on Thursday night in the first round, 3-1, to set up a matchup with the 2021 NCAA Division II national champions, who had a bye.
 
That win on Thursday was PLNU's first-ever NCAA postseason victory, adding to a first-ever conference title for the Sea Lions.
 
"I'm incredibly proud of this group," Wolf said. "They broke down barriers that we haven't been able to get through in the past. We won our first trophy, won an NCAA game and pushed CSULA to their limit."
 
A physical first half saw only five total shots taken, as the two teams battled to a scoreless first 45 minutes.
 
Point Loma then started brightly in the second half, as Mercieca surged inward on the dribble before his shot was saved out of play. On the ensuing corner kick, Austin Lavell's cross was met by Milo Libby, whose header went just wide.
 
The Golden Eagles then struck first with a wonder goal in the 56th minute, as CSULA's Simon Johansen lasered a shot from just inside the box into the top left corner to put the hosts in front.
 
The Sea Lions pushed for an equalizer, running out on a two-on-one breakaway only for the Golden Eagles defense to recover and block Calero's shot.
 
Calero had a looping header from a tough angle find the top of the net before Point Loma won a free kick in a promising area in the final minutes.
 
In total, PLNU outshot CSULA 11-7, including 8-5 in the second half, and controlled 55% possession but was unable to find the back of the net against a stout Golden Eagles' defense.
 

PLNU Men's Soccer finishes the season with a 13-5-1 overall record after an NCAA Super Region 4 Second Round loss to No. 2 Cal State LA. pic.twitter.com/I5LjIMil1P

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) November 19, 2023

 
"I thought we controlled them for the most part but could not create any clear chances," Wolf said. "They defend so deep with lines so tight that it is nearly impossible to break through."
 
Point Loma finishes its most successful season in program history with a 13-5-1 overall record.
 
"I am especially proud of my players in their last year of eligibility," Wolf said. "Matthew, London Lombana, Kupa'a Fernandez, Finn Simmersbach and Juan Salazar have left an indelible mark on our program and they will be missed. It was a pleasure to coach them."