Box Score San Rafael,Calif. — It was Senior Day on Saturday for the Dominican University of California men's soccer team and the Penguins responded with a highly-emotional win.

It was only fitting that senior Pedro Guevara scored the game-winning goal to beat Point Loma of San Diego 2-1 in the final Pacific West Conference contest of the season. It was his team-best 12th goal this season and the 37th in his 68-game career with the Penguins (8-7-2/5-7-2).

“I just wanted to score,” said Guevera, who earlier in the week was named to the Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-District team. “I'm glad it was a big one.”

Senior Casey Gibson, making his second start in goal this season, dropped to his knees when it was over. It was his first full win as a goalkeeper in his four-year collegiate career.

“It means everything,” Gibson said. “I love every single one of these guys and to share this moment with them is amazing.”

The Penguins, predicted in a PacWest coaches' preseason poll in August  to place 12th this year, finished in seventh place in the 14-team conference and were unbeaten in their final five games. They clinched an overall winning record this season and clinched a winning record (6-5) at home in their first season on Kennelly Field at the John F. Allen Athletics Complex.

“That prediction provided us with something to look at every day and know that we wanted to be better than that,” said Director of Soccer Jonathan Delano. “It motivated the guys, they knew their play was the only thing that was going to prove that wrong. It's a big step for our program.”

Guevara, who was honored in a pre-game ceremony along with Gibson and teammates Garrett Mitchell, Evan Cordova, Ryan Shilling, and Brian Bianucci, scored what proved to be the game-winner with 4:47 left in the first half, 90 seconds after Point Loma (2-16/1-13) tied the game at 1-1 when Niko Acosta for the equalizer. Guevara, however, did not need any help to re-take the lead. He made a terrific run from midfield, faking left and right with stepovers through the Sea Lions' defense until he finished with a right-footed strike past Point Loma goalkeeper Carter Phillips.

Mitnick earlier had beaten Phillips for the game's first goal at the 34:35 mark, thanks to a great pass by Cordova, which drew the Point Loma keeper out of the net. Mitnick one-touched Cordova's pass past Phillips. It was Mitnick's 10th goal of the season and his team-high 28th point.

Gibson tied his career-high with eight saves, six in the first half, including a great one off a Daniel Ten Bosch shot in the opening minute. He was helped by the feet of center back Chris Sennes, the muscle of center back Cory Vanderpool and the defensive intensity of midfielder Sam Vella.

The day, however, belonged to the seniors.

“It was a fitting end. It was unfortunate that Garrett got hurt [strained quad] but Pedro scored and Evan got an assist and Casey got the win and Ryan gave us some quality minutes.  I couldn't be prouder of them,” said Delano. “I think this group of seniors has set a tradition for this program and what it stands for. This is just a great, great moment.”