SAN DIEGO--For the first time in program history, the
Point Loma men's soccer team is headed to the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament.
No. 3 seed Point Loma outlasted No. 6 seed Cal State San Bernardino in a penalty shootout on Saturday afternoon, winning 3-2 on spot kicks after a 2-2 draw through two overtime periods in the Super Region 4 Second Round.
The Sea Lions took the lead twice, only for the Yotes to equalize both times, but in the end it was the hosts who prevailed on penalties and celebrated in front of their home fans.
Hosting an NCAA Tournament match for the second time ever, Point Loma scored on its home field in an NCAA postseason game for the first time, doing so just 7:03 into the match via
Cole Friesen. CSUSB managed to tie the game 15 minutes later, but PLNU retook its lead in the second half with
Emmett Layman scoring from the penalty spot in the 66th minute.
That lead held until 1:01 left on the clock when the Yotes found an equalizer just before the final whistle.
The Sea Lions then created several chances to score in the two overtime periods, with the hosts outshooting the Yotes 4-1 in both overtimes, but a penalty shootout was required to separate the two sides..
CSUSB stepped up to take the first spot kick and hit the crossbar, before
Gael Ruiz calmly gave PLNU the advantage in the shootout after one round.
Freshman goalkeeper
Gonzalo Gurrola came up big with a save on the Yotes' next penalty, before
Isaki Santamarina made it 2-0 Point Loma through two rounds.
Layman then made another penalty before CSUSB hit its final spot kick over the bar, as PLNU clinched the victory in a shootout without needing its fifth penalty taker.
Point Loma (15-3-2 overall) now advances to play in the Third Round against either No. 2 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills or No. 10 seed UC Colorado Springs, who play on Sunday at 3 p.m.
If CSUDH wins, PLNU will travel to Carson to play the Toros, but if UCCS prevails, then Point Loma would host the Mountain Lions in the Third Round.
(story courtesy of PLNU)