SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Vanguard women's soccer team did what it could against Point Loma Wednesday in Pacific West Conference action, but the Sea Lions prevailed 3-0 to take the match. With one game remaining, the Lions dropped to 7-7-1 overall and 5-3 in league games, while PLNU improved to 8-2-5, 5-0-2.
What Happened? The Lions had two shots in the first half, though neither found the target.
Naia Kaulukukui took the first attempt in the 18th minute, and
Aneala Sibayan had the next shot about eight minutes after that, but neither troubled the PLNU keeper.
Grayton Normand, meanwhile, had plenty happening in front of her over the first 20 minutes, as the hosts had two shots in the first 10 minutes, but the VU keeper did not have to make a stop. She then made her first save in the 15th minute, and the defense cleared the first Point Loma corner kick in the 23rd minute.
The Blue and Gold showed defensive fortitude as the half moved along, but the Sea Lions found a breakthrough in the 40th minute, as a cross from the right side was headed home. Ahead 1-0, Point Loma put up two shots over the final five minutes, but both cleared the crossbar.
Down 1-0 on the scoreboard and 7-2 on the shot counter, the Lions did press to find an equalizer by hoisting up seven shots in the second half, but unfortunately, VU did not record a shot on goal after 90 minutes. The PLNU advantage increased three minutes into the new frame as well, as the Sea Lions made it 2-0 off a corner kick. The Lions responded with a flurry of offensive activity, with two shots from Sibayan and one from
Jennifer Alvarez, but to no avail. PLNU then resumed control, and a cross from the end line by Point Loma was struck into the net by a Sea Lion's right foot to put the hosts ahead 3-0 and to the top of the standings at the final whistle.
The Lions had one corner kick just shy of the hour mark and nine shots as a group, with Sibayan accounting for three of them. Normand made three saves on the six shots on goal that PLNU produced, with the Sea Lions bagging 14 total shots and five corner kicks in the contest.
The Blue and Gold now need help to hold on to a PacWest Tournament berth, as Biola is two points behind VU with three games to play. BU is home to Westmont on Saturday, with a win putting the Eagles ahead in the standings and a draw keeping Biola behind by a point. Next Wednesday's clash at 11:00 a.m. will mostly determine VU's fate, though the Eagles close out the season on the road at CUI on October 31, so a draw would keep the dream alive through BU's Halloween fixture.
