SAN DIEGO – It was a gritty performance from the Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team on Thursday evening when the Falcons scored equalizing goals three times against Point Loma but it wasn't enough as the Sea Lions scored a late goal to take it 4-3.

"Credit to the guys," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "They never gave in and came back three different times. They showed a lot of character in some tough moments. You don't win too many games giving up four goals though. We know we need to be better."

The Falcons leveled the score in the 13th minute of the match. Orlando Erazo scored his first goal of the season to tie the match 1-1. Erazo was in the top left corner of the 18-yard box when he lined up and drilled a right-footed shot into the upper right corner. Raymundo Mendez earned an assist on the play.

SPU trailed 2-1 in the closing moments of the first half. In the 45th minute, the Falcons sent a corner kick into the box that landed at the feet of Luis Zazueta. He found a way to tap the ball in through the scrum to tie the game again. Zazueta's second goal in as many games knotted the game at 2-2 at halftime.

PLNU led 3-2 with less than 10 minutes left in the match. The Falcons searched for the equalizer for the third time in the match. They would find it in the 83rd minute. Mendez answered the challenge with a crucial goal for the Falcons. He finished with the right foot, shooting the ball into the lower left corner.  

SPU put together 13 shots throughout Thursday's match. Six of those shots were on goal. SPU created chances with eight corner kicks. Cam Welty was in goal for the Falcons and made four saves.

"Point Loma is a good team, and they made it difficult on us," Sakuda added. "Just like last week, I'm confident the guys will respond well to this setback and be motivated to win on Saturday."

SPU stays in Southern California for another match on Saturday. They'll take on Concordia Irvine at their place at 1 p.m.