SAN DIEGO, Calif.—In a battle between two of the hottest teams in the Pacific West Conference, host Point Loma made a first half goal carry the distance for a 1-0 win over Hawai`i Hilo on Saturday afternoon at the PLNU Soccer Field.

The Sea Lions improved to 4-3 in conference play and 5-5-1 overall, winning their fourth match in their last five starts. The Vulcans saw their three-match win streak snapped, falling to 3-3-1 in PacWest action and to 6-4-1 on the year.

Kaiti Freeberg's first goal of the season in the 36^th minute was the only score on the day. The Sea Lions lofted a long free kick from their side of the field towards the ocean end of America's Most Scenic Soccer Field, where it was touched by Jae Kamana and then headed into the net by Freeberg.

Thus, the Vulcans headed into the halftime break down 1-0, despite playing a good chunk of the first half on the Sea Lion end of the pitch. UH Hilo had five shots in the first half, to PLNU's two, including a 3-2 edge in shots on goal.

In the second half, the Sea Lions began to control the match and limit Vulcan opportunities. Point Loma had an excellent chance to add insurance in the 60^th minute after contact in the box gave the hosts a penalty kick. But UHH goalkeeper Jenna Hufford anticipated the direction, diving to her left and essentially swatting two shots away from the goal to keep her team within shouting distance.

Freeberg sent another near goal off the crossbar late in the contest, but the Vulcans couldn't get close enough to get the same kind of look to tie the match before the horn sounded.

Point Loma ended up outshooting the Vulcans, 14-7 and 6-5 in shots on goal. The Sea Lions had 12 of those shots in the second half.

Hufford finished with five saves. PLNU goalkeeper Brianna Linnell had five saves as well and earned her fifth shutout of the season.

The Vulcans will have Sunday off before heading up the coast to take on Biola for the first time on Monday. The match will be played with a 4 p.m. start time (Pacific).