Point Loma doesn’t – repeat – doesn’t give up goals at home.
That was all the more reason why Kaiti Freeberg’s score seemed like the goldenest of goals.
The senior provided the only goal of the game Saturday between UH-Hilo and the Sea Lions in a 1-0 loss in San Diego that snapped the Vulcans’ three-game winning streak.
In the 36th minute, after a free kick and touch, Freeberg blasted a shot from into the back of the net from 24 yards out for her first goal of the season. She’s only played in three matches this season because of an injury.
“We’ve missed Kaiti,” Point Loma coach Tim Hall said in a release. “She would have started for us all year. She is really good, and to see her come back off an injury, while staying positive, is a testament to her maturity as a young lady. It was fun to see her get that nugget of good fortune today, and I am really happy for her.”
Point Loma (5-5-1, 4-3-0 Pacific West) secured its fourth consecutive home shutout, outshooting the Vulcans (6-4-1, 3-3-1) 14-7, including 12-2 as it carried the play in the second half.
UHH goalkeeper Jenna Hufford kept the Sea Lions from an insurance goal by stopping a penalty shot in the 60th minute.
The senior made five saves.
“Those women are really tough, fast and scrappy,” Hall said of the Vulcans. “They present problems, and we were fortunate to win today. They came to play today.”
The victory helped avenge a loss to the Vulcans last season that kept Point Loma from winning its third consecutive PacWest crown.
The Sea Lions have not allowed a goal at home in the past 385 minutes as Brianna Linnell made five saves for her fifth shutout of the season
The Vulcans are now tied for eighth in the conference as they head up the California coast to face Biola on Monday.
In the men’s game, the Vulcans lost 3-0 to fall to remain winless. The Sea Lions (8-2-2, 5-0-2) are unbeaten in their past 10 matches.
Jesus Ortega took four shots for UHH (0-10, 0-7).
