(DENVER) No. 9 PLNU Women's Soccer bounced back from its first loss of the season to end its Colorado trip on a high note, a 2-1 win over MSU Denver on Saturday evening.
"It was a good bounce back from Thursday's match," Head Coach
Kristi Kiely said. "Everyone stepped up today and it showed. I thought we were good in the ways we needed to be. I'm really proud of our group tonight."
The Sea Lions started brightly, with
Bethany Arabe's brilliant solo effort giving Point Loma the lead in just the sixth minute of play.
Arabe received a pass from
Mackenzie Kimmel out wide on the left before surging through the center of the Roadrunners' defense on the dribble and firing past the opposing goalkeeper.
PLNU's lead was short-lived, however, as the hosts equalized less than nine minutes later.
"Credit to Metro," Kiely said. "We settled in early but then they changed the momentum a little in the first half. They are a quality side."
Despite firing 11 first-half shots, and forcing five saves in the opening 45 minutes, the Sea Lions had to settle for a 1-1 score at the half.
Point Loma looked to restore its lead early in the second half, as
Emma Thrapp played a short corner kick to
Nicki Friedman at the corner of the box. Friedman then lofted a ball to the back post, where
Jensen Shrout had her goal-bound header saved.
But there was no stopping Thrapp from another set piece situation, this one coming at the 62:00 mark.
After Friedman was fouled 25 yards out, Thrapp curled a free kick up and over the wall, leaving the opposing goalkeeper no chance and putting the Sea Lions back ahead.
"Bethany and Emma both scored lovely goals and credit to Nicki for drawing the foul on the second goal," Kiely said.
Thrapp's goal was more than enough for the Sea Lions, who didn't allow a single shot the rest of the way.
In addition to the win, PLNU welcomed back a couple players from injury in
Naomi Ellis and
Alana Diaz.
Ellis, who had to leave Thursday's loss to UCCS after just nine minutes because of a knock, returned on Saturday and played all 90 minutes. Diaz, the team's leading scorer the past two season, made her first appearance for the Sea Lions since suffering a season-ending injury last year on Oct. 24, 2022.
"It was nice to have Naomi back today and to get Alana some minutes," Kiely said.
Point Loma (3-1-1 overall) now sets its sights on conference play when PLNU opens up the PacWest portion of its schedule on Saturday at Concordia. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
