(CHULA VISTA, Calif.) PLNU Men's Soccer, receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, made a major statement on Saturday with a 1-0 win over No. 10 Cal Poly Pomona at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center for its first victory over the Broncos in 22 years.
 
Since 2002, CPP had gone 6-0-2 in the previous eight matchups between the two teams.
 
"Pomona has been the standard for a number of years, so it feels good to finally break through against them," Wolf said. "I thought overall it was a very good game with two evenly-matched teams. The game certainly could have gone either way."
 
Austin Lavell's goal in the 65th minute proved to be the difference in the game and a just reward for the Sea Lions, who threatened in attack throughout.
 

Austin Lavell scored in the 65th minute on Saturday to lift (RV) PLNU Men's Soccer to a 1-0 win over #10 Cal Poly Pomona for its first victory over the Broncos since 2002.#GoSeaLions pic.twitter.com/OOiwubXWzs

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) September 9, 2024

The senior winger crashed the box and made no mistakes with his close-range effort after Emmett Layman beat his defender on the left flank and squared a ball across the penalty area for Lavell.
 
That goal came after the Sea Lions outshot the Broncos 6-4 in the first half.
 
Simon Sagal's free kick forced a save early in the game, before Gael Ruiz' shot from distance was destined for the top left corner, only to be kept out by an outstretched fingertip save from the opposing goalkeeper.
 
Shawn O'Brien's dipping, long-range effort then nearly caught out the goalkeeper before being swatted away at the last second.
 
"Under the circumstances our guys are showing some amazing resiliency, and I am really proud of all of them," Wolf said.
 
Reinier ter Riet made five crucial saves in goal, with three coming in the second half, to preserve the shutout.
 

PLNU Men's Soccer takes down #10 Cal Poly Pomona.#GoSeaLions pic.twitter.com/wqbLMBqdiA

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) September 8, 2024

 
"After conceding three goals against CSUSB, it was great to come out with a clean sheet in today's game," Wolf said. "It was a total team effort."
 
Point Loma (1-0-1 overall) will now travel to Colorado for a pair of games, beginning on Thursday at Regis. Kickoff in Denver is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. MT.
 
"Now we have to quickly turn the page and get ready for a tough Colorado trip," Wolf said.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE