<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3bSuB3_0vlp1p1n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3bSuB3_0vlp1p1n00" width="793" height="450" >(ATHERTON, Calif.) A pair of goals from Zach Mercieca, one in each half, lifted PLNU Men's Soccer to a 2-0 road victory at PacWest newcomer Menlo on Thursday afternoon to open Point Loma's conference title defense with a win."We are really pleased with that performance," Head Coach Phil Wolf said. "It was as mature and confident a performance as we have had at Point Loma in a couple of years."Mercieca got the defending PacWest champions off to a fast start with his first goal of the game in the eighth minute.Niko Kaczmarczyk won the ball back for the Sea Lions in the right corner and sent a cross to Felix Calero at the back post. Calero then slid to square the ball back across the goal with the outside of his right foot to Mercieca, who put the visitors in front from close range.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><dfn><a href="/sports/mens-soccer/roster/zach-mercieca/6983" rel="smarttag" rev="6983">Zach Mercieca</a></dfn> gives PLNU Men's Soccer an early lead in its PacWest opener against Menlo. 🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/MenloAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MenloAthletics</a><a href="https://t.co/2jVV4bUxlD">pic.twitter.com/2jVV4bUxlD</a> — PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/PLNUSeaLions/status/1839405688168358197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>After taking that 1-0 lead into the half, Point Loma threatened some more after the break, with Simon Sagal's left-footed half volley being tipped over the bar.Gael Ruiz then whipped a ball into Austin Lavell, whose shot was saved off the post. The ensuing rebound nearly fell to Milo Libby in front of the goalmouth but was knocked away for a corner.Emmett Layman and Elijah Langford forced additional saves later in the half, before Mercieca completed his brace with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><dfn><a href="/sports/mens-soccer/roster/zach-mercieca/6983" rel="smarttag" rev="6983">Zach Mercieca</a></dfn> seals the victory for Point Loma over Menlo with his second goal of the game. 🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/MenloAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MenloAthletics</a><a href="https://t.co/mXeGcRNMdX">pic.twitter.com/mXeGcRNMdX</a> — PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/PLNUSeaLions/status/1839425602329473178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>Right back Shawn O'Brien sent a ball forward that was flicked on by Langford into the path of Mercieca, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to complete his brace and seal all three points for the Sea Lions."Even at 1-0 the game felt in control and that rarely happens at the college level," Wolf said. "It was great to get Zach off the mark for a nice brace to open and close the game."PLNU outshot Menlo on the day, 18-11, including 10-2 in shots on goal.Freshman goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella made two saves to earn his second-straight victory and his first collegiate shutout.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PLNU Men's Soccer opens its PacWest title defense with a 2-0 victory at Menlo.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoSeaLions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoSeaLions</a><a href="https://t.co/Q0qYJYFD6P">pic.twitter.com/Q0qYJYFD6P</a> — PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/PLNUSeaLions/status/1839428875954397335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>"In addition to Zach's performance there were others that had top performances in this game," Wolf said. "Top to bottom, I'm really pleased with the group and it's great to start the conference season with full points."After winning its conference opener for the fifth-straight season, Point Loma (3-1-2 overall, 1-0 PacWest) now turns its attention to Saturday's PacWest match at Dominican. Kickoff in San Rafael is scheduled for 12:30 p.m."Now onto a rested and waiting team in Dominican on Saturday," Wolf said. "It will be a massive challenge and a true test of our depth as a team."</div></body>

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MERCIECA SCORES TWICE AS PLNU WINS CONFERENCE OPENER

(ATHERTON, Calif.) A pair of goals from Zach Mercieca, one in each half, lifted PLNU Men's Soccer to a 2-0 road victory at PacWest newcomer Menlo on Thursday afternoon to open Point Loma's conference title defense with a win. \"We are really pleased with that performance,\" Head Coach Phil Wolf...

(ATHERTON, Calif.) A pair of goals from Zach Mercieca, one in each half, lifted PLNU Men's Soccer to a 2-0 road victory at PacWest newcomer Menlo on Thursday afternoon to open Point Loma's conference title defense with a win. "We are really pleased with that performance," Head Coach Phil Wolf...