PLNU Athletics

(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Women's Soccer nearly scored a last second goal as the final whistle was blown in an eventual 1-1 draw against Hawai'i Pacific.
 
Maddy Saruwatari scored a sensational second half goal to give Point Loma a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute.
 
The Sea Lions held that lead until HPU equalized in the 87th minute from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded the Sharks' a penalty kick because of a foul in the box.
 
Saruwatari then nearly snatched all three points for the Sea Lions with a shot in the final seconds from just inside the top left corner of the box, only for the goal to be overruled upon video review because the ball didn't cross the goal line before time expired.
 
The game was scoreless at the half despite PLNU's 15-0 advantage in shots, with Gianna Masinter hitting the woodwork from distance and Juliet Thrapp having a header goal ruled out for a foul.
 
PLNU had a penalty shout in the second half when Madison Khan had her jersey pulled from behind as she dribbled past her defender, but the foul was determined to be just outside the area.
 

SARUWATARI GIVES SEA LIONS THE LEAD 🚀

Maddy Saruwatari's shot from distance gives PLNU Women's Soccer a 1-0 lead over HPU in the 66'#GoSeaLions pic.twitter.com/ilBefTlGim

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) September 26, 2026

 
Saruwatari then finally broke the deadlock with a stunning strike from outside the box.
 
A quick PLNU throw-in from Abby Buys found Priya Torres, who laid it off to Saruwatari to spin away from her defender and launch a shot up and over the goalkeeper to give the Sea Lions a deserved lead.
 
PLNU outshot HPU 29-3 in the match, including 10-2 in shots on goal.
 
Point Loma (4-2-4 overall, 1-0-1 PacWest) returns home on Saturday to host Hawai'i Hilo at 11:30 a.m. on Senior Day for the Sea Lions.