Cal State San Marcos needed only three minutes to reclaim a match it had led for more than an hour. Nani Kia'aina scored in the 80th minute, answering Point Loma's late equalizer and giving the Cougars a 2-1 victory Saturday at The Cage.
Isabelle Walsh started the deciding play from the right side near midfield. Her pass released Kia'aina into Point Loma territory, and the fifth-year forward sent a high shot over the goalkeeper's reach and into the left side. The goal was Kia'aina's second of the season and sixth for CSUSM. Walsh earned her first assist since 2024.
The quick reply protected an unbeaten nonconference run that began with a fast opening goal. Lily Jensen intercepted a Point Loma pass at the top of the box in the sixth minute and placed her shot in the upper-left corner. It was Jensen's first goal since her freshman season in 2023 and the fifth of her college career.
Point Loma carried more of the ball after that mistake. At halftime, the Sea Lions led 8-3 in shots, 4-1 in shots on goal and 63%-37% in possession. CSUSM still led 1-0 because Jensen had converted the Cougars' only shot on target and goalkeeper Keira Patterson had stopped Point Loma's attempts.
The pressure finally produced an equalizer in the 77th minute. Nikki Ross sent a pass from midfield to Maddy Saruwatari on the left. Saruwatari moved into the box and crossed toward Kylee Jerome, who finished from near the penalty spot. The possession and shot advantages had become a goal, leaving the final stretch level.
CSUSM did not need to accumulate another series of chances. It needed the next one. Walsh and Kia'aina created it before Point Loma could settle, and Kia'aina finished the Cougars' second shot on goal. The final numbers were stark: Point Loma led 12-4 in shots, 6-2 on target, 6-2 in corners and 62%-38% in possession. CSUSM scored on both of its shots on frame.
Patterson made five saves, four of them before halftime, and the Cougars did not allow a second equalizer. The result was CSUSM's first victory over Point Loma since 2014; both wins came in San Marcos. The two goals were also the most the Cougars have scored in any match against the Sea Lions.
Every shot on target altered Patterson's workload or the score. She saved five of Point Loma's six; CSUSM's two both became goals. That is an efficient one-match line, not a stable expectation. Finishing rates swing, and the possession deficit meant the Cougars spent much of the afternoon one deflection or rebound from having to create a third answer.
The match also stayed relatively open in the referee's ledger. CSUSM committed seven fouls and Point Loma four, with no cards recorded in the official recap. Point Loma was caught offside four times, evidence that the Cougars' back line could hold its position even while the Sea Lions controlled more of the ball.
CSUSM completed its nonconference schedule 2-0-3, matching the unbeaten five-game start of its 2016 team. Conference play begins Friday at new CCAA member Fresno Pacific. The record travels well, but Saturday's route was unusually narrow. The Cougars defended without much possession, finished every shot on target and answered immediately when the margin disappeared. In conference matches, those qualities can preserve points. They cannot be expected to replace chance creation every week.