PLNU Athletics

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) PLNU Men's Soccer had its 2026 campaign come to a close on Saturday in Santa Barbara, as Westmont defeated Point Loma, 4-1, in the regular season finale for both teams.
 
With both teams needing to win to clinch a spot in the four-team PacWest Championships, Westmont struck first from the penalty spot eight minutes into the match.
 
The Warriors then doubled their lead with just over a minute remaining in the first half to take a 2-0 lead going into the halftime interval.
 
With their season on the line, the Sea Lions showed fight in the second half, outshooting the Warriors 11-8.
 
The visitors created several opportunities to score and were finally rewarded with Jack Merrill's penalty kick goal with 10 minutes remaining that cut PLNU's deficit to 3-1.
 
Merrill scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season, improving to a perfect 7-for-7 on penalty kicks during his freshman campaign.
 
Cole Friesen then nearly scored a spectacular volley, forcing a tremendous save from the opposing goalkeeper, that would've made it a one-goal game.
 
Westmont then went down the other way and caught PLNU on the break, scoring the final goal of the game to seal the three points for the Warriors.
 
Point Loma finishes the season with an 8-6-3 overall (5-4 PacWest) record after winning three straight conference titles from 2023-25.