The Hawai’i Pacific University Sharks handed the Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions men’s soccer team their first PacWest conference loss and first home defeat of the season with a 2-1 victory on September 26, 2026, at the PLNU Soccer Field in San Diego.
Despite outshooting Hawai’i Pacific 6-3 in a scoreless first half, both Point Loma and the Sharks saw players receive red cards, forcing each team to compete with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Early in the second half, Hawai’i Pacific broke the deadlock to take the lead.
Point Loma answered when Simon Sagal converted a penalty kick awarded after Inaki Santamarina was fouled in the box, tying the match at 1-1. Sagal’s goal moved him into a tie for the team lead with four goals this season.
The Sharks reclaimed the lead five minutes later and managed to hold on despite Point Loma’s pressure. The Sea Lions outshot Hawai’i Pacific 11-7 overall and held a 9-7 advantage in corner kicks. James Haynes twice struck the crossbar late in the game but could not find the equalizer.
With the loss, Point Loma Nazarene fell to 4-3-3 overall and 1-1 in PacWest play. The Sea Lions return to the PLNU Soccer Field on October 3 to host Hawai’i Hilo at 2:15 p.m.
CSB Take
This defeat marks a significant moment as Point Loma Nazarene suffered its first home and conference loss of the year, underscoring the fine margins in competitive soccer. Though the Sea Lions commanded play and created numerous chances, inability to convert opportunities and the impact of early expulsions played a crucial role. Addressing finishing consistency and discipline will be essential for Point Loma as they aim to bounce back in upcoming PacWest contests.
Source: Original report
