(SAN DIEGO) After tying Seattle Pacific 3-3 a season ago, the Sea Lions and Falcons appeared destined for another 3-3 draw on Thursday afternoon with just a few minutes left in regulation.
Juan Salazar had a different idea.
From the right flank, the graduate transfer cut inside onto his favored left foot and beat the keeper in the 87th minute to give PLNU Men's Soccer a thrilling 4-3 victory for its first win of the season.
"It wasn't the way we wanted it to look or be but it's a win," Head Coach
Phil Wolf said. "We played a lot better the first two games and lost, and we played worse today and won. It's funny how that happens."
Oliver Padilla opened the scoring early on in the fifth minute with a thunderbolt from distance, only for the visitors to equalize less than eight minutes later.
Salazar then forced a quality save from the opposing goalie that went straight into the path of Lavell for a simple tap-in that put the Sea Lions back ahead in the 25th minute.
PLNU was moments away from taking a 2-1 lead into the break before SPU was able to tie it up off a corner kick with just 28 seconds remaining in the opening half.
After the halftime interval,
Gael Ruiz headed home a Lavell cross in the 69th minute as the Sea Lions retook their lead, only for the Falcons to equalize once more with just eight minutes to play.
But the game didn't remain level for long, as Salazar won it late for Point Loma, which has now increased its offensive scoring output in each game so far this season.
"In my time here, this is by far the best group going forward," Wolf said. "If we can just establish a better foundation for the group defensively, this team can score goals and win games."
Point Loma (1-2 overall) returns to PLNU Soccer Field on Saturday at 1 p.m. for a matchup with Western Washington. The Sea Lions and Vikings battled to a scoreless draw last season.
