(SAN DIEGO)
Julia Pinnell saved a penalty kick and
Nikki Ross scored the lone goal of the game to lift PLNU Women's Soccer to a 1-0 win over Fort Lewis on Saturday afternoon in the team's final non-conference game.
"The first word that comes to mind is endure, which is a little bit of what it felt like in different moments," Head Coach
Kristi Kiely said of the win. "To get the win when you have to endure is a positive learning experience and something that we'll need down the road. I'm proud of the group for staying with it."
After a scoreless first half, Point Loma looked the likelier of the two teams to score after the break before the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute.
Goalkeeper Pinnell came up big for the hosts, diving to her left to save the spot kick and keep the game level.
Pinnell's penalty save gave an immediate jolt to the Sea Lions, with
Maddie Khan and
Leah Uezato serving balls into dangerous areas.
"We had opportunities before the PK and when you have opportunities and you don't connect on them, then you start to get a little discouraged," Kiely said. "When your keeper comes up big, then it gives you maybe that extra nudge to go and you'll take the momentum wherever you can get it."
That momentum paid off in the 71st minute, when
Alyssa Ketcham's cross was punched away by the opposing goalie but only as far as Ross, who made no mistake with her finish from just outside the six-yard box to find the back of the net for the second straight game.
"I wouldn't even say just the goals, but her play has been so courageous and she's threatening in her own way," Kiely said of Ross. "She's certainly getting some good looks on goal and she's taking them right now."
PLNU nearly added to its lead on multiple occasions, as Ketcham rattled the crossbar,
Maddie Khan had a shot saved off the post and Uezato hit the outside of the woodwork.
But Ross' goal was all that was needed for the Sea Lions, who kept their third shutout in the past four games.
Point Loma (3-2-1 overall) will take a two-game winning streak into PacWest play, which begins on Oct. 2 at home against Menlo. Kickoff from the PLNU Soccer Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
"We have 11 days to rest and get better," Kiely said. "We have this nice built-in break, so we'll look to for sure get some players some rest. We've been a little banged up and other than these two games, we haven't started with the same group, so we'd love to get to a spot where we get some players healthy. We'll look to do that and continue to get better in the ways we need to get better."
POSTGAME INTERVIEW
