SAN DIEGO, California - Hawai'i Pacific opened PacWest conference play with a 1-1 draw against Point Loma on Saturday morning at PLNU Soccer Field. The result moves Hawai'i Pacific to 0-7-2 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play.
Early in the match, Point Loma appeared to strike first, but had a goal disallowed keeping the game scoreless. Sharks goalkeeper
Natalie Navarro was tested repeatedly throughout, making four saves in the first half alone as Point Loma out-shot HPU 15-0 over the opening 45 minutes. The Sea Lions controlled possession for much of the match and finally broke through in the 66th minute when Maddy Saruwatari scored off an assist from Priya Torres to give the Sea Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Sharks finally found their equalizer late, however, as an errant Sea Lion tackle led to a successful challenge from Head Coach
Connor Artigue.
Lauren Longworth, who drew the aforementioned tackle, stepped up and slotted the penalty kick to draw the sides even in the 87th minute.
With one last attempt, the Sea Lions appeared to have secure the lead with seven seconds remaining, but after video review the time had expired before the ball had crossed the goal line leaving the final to be 1-1.
Navarro finished with a massive nine saves across the full 90 minutes as Point Loma out-shot Hawai'i Pacific 29-3 on the afternoon, including a 10-2 edge in shots on goal. Longworth's goal and a second-half shot from
Lisette Almanza, which was saved, accounted for HPU's offensive output.
Hawai'i Pacific was whistled for seven fouls to Point Loma's six, while the Sea Lions held a 12-0 edge in corner kicks. HPU's defender
Mary Frances Sluga picked up a yellow card in the second half.
Hawai'i Pacific continues PacWest play on the road against Biola University on Monday, Sept. 28, at 4:00 p.m. in La Mirada, California.
