SAN DIEGO – Dominican women's soccer fell 1-0 to No. 18 Point Loma Nazarene University on Thursday at PLNU Soccer Field.

Senior goalkeeper Nicole Maler made her first career start in net for the Penguins (2-4-3, 1-2-0 PacWest) and made eight saves, while senior forward Tanya Bills led the offense with two shots and one on frame. The Sea Lions (8-0-1, 4-0-0 PacWest) played well in the midfield limiting possessions for Dominican and leading to 19 shots with 10 on goal for their offense.

PLNU went on the attack early as Alana Diaz was able to put a ball on frame in the 10th minute but Maler made an impressive save to keep the game scoreless. Maler made another impressive save diving to her left five minutes later pushing a ball wide and then closed out on a third seconds later as the Sea Lions struggled to find a way past her. 

PLNU looked to have a breakthrough in the 16th minute as a corner kick found the head of Hailey Clifford but this time it was the Dominican defense that was in the right spot to clear the ball before it could cross the goal line. Senior forward Tanya Bills was the only Penguin able to get a shot on frame in the opening half but the ball bounced safely into the arms of Emma Hinson in the 27th minute and the teams went into the half in a scoreless tie.

Dominican came out strong in the second half as Bills was able to get off another quality shot in the 47th minute that beat Hinson, but hit the far post and bounced out. Maler continued to do work on the other side of the field collecting saves in 50th, 59th and 66th minutes to keep the game level. The Sea Lions were finally able to breakthrough in 67th minute as Maler made a save closing out a shot attempt by Hailey Clifford but the ball deflected to the foot of Pyper Slattery who put it in the back netting for the 1-0 lead and the lead would hold the rest of the way.

Dominican will conclude its trip to Southern California against Azusa Pacific at noon PDT at Cougar Soccer Field.