The Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Sea Lions men’s soccer team opened the 2007 season with two consecutive wins last week over Southwestern (Arizona) and Cal State San Bernardino in nonconference play.
In the process, the Sea Lions set a school record for goals scored during a 14-1 victory over Southwestern. The Southwestern team played its first game of that school’s inaugural season on the road against PLNU.
For the Sea Lions, Grant Cowles, Jon Fielding, Erick Melendez, Brendon Meyer and Brian Thames each scored two goals in the game. Thames’ first goal broke the individual school record for most all-time goals with 37.
PLNU then went on the road to defeat the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes 2-1 as Thames, a forward, scored the game-winning goal.
The Sea Lions are coming off a 10-6-3 season last year, compiling a 4-3-3 record in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) earning a Region II playoff appearance. Head coach Tim Hall returns for a 12th season at PLNU.
Hall is the soccer program’s most successful coach in overall wins, posting a 114-69-5 overall record and eight playoff appearances, which includes the last three years.
If PLNU is going to make it to the postseason for a fourth consecutive year team members will need forwards Thames and Tino Fonzeca to remain healthy. Thames is a senior, while Fonzeca is a junior. Last season, both players missed much of the season. Thames was an All-American selection in 2005 and scored three goals in 2006 before being injured.
The Sea Lions should be strong up front with Thames and Fonzeca, along with the 2006 leading scorer (six goals) Jason Smith, a senior. Freshmen Melendez, Cowles and Jeff Shaugnessy will also look for playing time this year. Junior midfielders Justin Ongaro and Duach Jock also return. Ongaro (five goals) and Jock (three goals) were the second- and fourth-leading scorers on the team, respectively.
They will be joined by sophomores Fielding, Chasen Grieg, Brendon Meyer and Kyle Ertel, as well as freshmen Macaine Piercy and Josh Corrao.
PLNU scored 28 goals overall last season and have already scored half that many through the first two games. Conversely, the defense also appears solid again this year. The Sea Lions set a school record for most shutouts in a season and best goals against average last year.
Senior All-American and All-GSAC selection defenseman Chad Vargo returns along with seniors Brad Lewis and Logan Brown, junior Tony Mercuriali, sophomore Christian Romero, transfer Gareth Moore and freshman Matt Garrett.
Senior goalie Bryan Louzil also returns. Louzil set a record for shutouts last season with 11. Backing up Louzil will be sophomore Eric Leboffe and freshman Derrick Schulz.
The Sea Lions will attempt to remain undefeated at home when they face Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m.