(photo courtesy of WWU Athletics)

BELLINGHAM, Wash.--Point Loma's Mara Sovde picked a perfect time to score her first collegiate goal, knocking in what turned out to be the game winner in the Sea Lions' 1-0 win over Sonoma State in the quarterfinals of the NCAA West Region women's soccer tournament at Harrington Field.

#3 seed Point Loma, now 13-2-4, advances to play host and #2 seed Western Washington on Saturday at 3 pm PT. #6 seed Sonoma State, the regular season champion of the CCAA, ends their season at 12-5-3.

Sovde, a freshman from Bellevue, Wash., picked up a rebound off a shot taken by Zoe Crockett off a set piece in the 28th minute. Crockett's shot bounded off Sonoma State goalkeeper Kennedy Williams, right to Sovde, who pushed it back into the lower right side of the goal. 

On a 42-degree, but dry day, that score would be enough. Point Loma's stingy defense denied Seawolves opportunity after opportunity, notching their fourth consecutive shutout. 

The final shot tally showed Point Loma with a slight 16-12 edge and the teams were even in shots on goal with five. But most of Sonoma State's shots were from long range, with the Sea Lions providing a wall of defense in front of PLNU keeper Julia Pinnell. 

Pinnell finished with the shutout and five saves. Williams, who came into the match just five minutes into the contest after starting SSU goalkeeper Phoebe Barnes was hurt in a collision, finished with three saves. 

The Sea Lions now return to the semifinals to play Western Washington for the second straight season. In 2021, the Vikings won the contest in Bellingham. Earlier this season, the two squads tied 1-1 in San Diego.