(ATHERTON, Calif.) No. 18 PLNU Women's Soccer scored a goal early in each half to open up PacWest play with a 2-0 road victory over Menlo on Thursday afternoon.
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Mara Sovde scored just over a minute into the match, before
Lily Larez rounded out the scoring with a goal just over eight minutes into the second half.
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"Even though we scored early, I don't think we started the game well in terms of competing and sharpness," Head Coach
Kristi Kiely said. "To the group's credit, we responded well in the second half."
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Sovde got the Sea Lions off to a flying start by curling her left-footed shot from outside the box up and over the goalkeeper off a
Nikki Ross assist.
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"I was glad to get the goal early and glad to see Mara on the scoreboard, as she does so much to make our team go," Kiely said.
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Point Loma forced seven saves in the opening half before doubling its lead early in the second period through Larez' header.
Larez was left unmarked at the back post to capitalize on a perfect service from
Taylor Christenson, finding the back of the net for her second goal of the season.
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 "Taylor's assist to Lily and Lily's finish were both great," Kiely said.
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Those two goals were more than enough for PLNU's defense, which limited Menlo to just a single shot on goal in the entire match.
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The Sea Lions outshot the Oaks 22-8 overall and 10-1 in shots on goal.
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"I was proud of Sam Wilson who's been out for a bit and stepped in today and did well," Kiely said of the midfielder's return from injury.
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Point Loma (4-1-1 overall) will take on Dominican next in San Rafael on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
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"We will need to rest and prepare for a solid Dominican team," Kiely said.
