SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Western Washington University sophomore midfielder Georg Cholewa scored a goal in each half, leading the No. 13 nationally-ranked Vikings to a 2-1 road victory over Point Loma Thursday afternoon at PLNU Soccer Field.
 
With the victory the Vikings improved to 3-0-0, all road wins, the best start in program history since also having a 3-0-0 start in 2000. WWU debuted in the United Soccer Coaches Division II national poll for the first time in program history at No. 13 after road wins at Sonoma State and Chico State last week.
 
Point Loma, ranked No. 23 in the preseason poll and received votes in this week's poll, evened its season mark at 1-1-0. The loss was the first in the regular season for the Sea Lions since the second game of last season, snapping a string of 17 consecutive unbeaten regular-season matches.
 
"I am really proud of how the team played today, our best performance of the season, against a very quality opponent," said head coach Greg Brisbon. "Georg (Cholewa) had a fantastic match and Gus (Diehl) played really well in the midfield. Overall a great team effort to gain an important road victory."
 
Cholewa (Leipzig, Germany/Sportgymnasium Chemnitz) gave the Vikings a 1-0 in the 15^th minute with a well-placed strike to the upper-left corner of the net from 22 yards away on the left side of the field. A foul set up the opportunity for Cholewa to send a curling shot past the player wall and out of reach of the diving Point Loma goalkeeper.
 
Cholewa (co-liv-uh) recorded the brace in the 79^th minute on another free kick from the top of the 18-yard box, tucking it into the top right corner for his third goal of the season. The sophomore has now scored in each of WWU's three games this season, with 3 goals and 2 assists, and has netted two game-winning goals.
 
"Georg played fantastic today and is off to a really good start this season," added Brisbon. "That second goal was massive to give us a cushion, because we knew Point Loma would be strong down the stretch."
 
Point Loma made it a one-goal game late in the second half, when Tim Siegfried converted a penalty kick opportunity in the 87^th minute.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Brandon Wolter (Vancouver, WA/Union) helped lead the Vikings to the victory in his second career start, with the WWU defense limiting the Sea Lions to only one shot on goal (the PK).
 
WWU held a 15-6 edge in shots, while creating several scoring opportunities with a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal.
 
The Vikings (3-0-0) return to action this Saturday with a fourth consecutive road match to open the season, taking on Azusa Pacific University at 2:30 pm at the Cougar Soccer Complex in Azusa, California. WWU's home opener will be next Tuesday hosting Hawai'i Hilo at Harrington Field at 7 pm.
 
"I am proud of the way this team has battled with basically a two-week road trip," added Brisbon. "We are grinding and working hard and excited to get back out on the field on Saturday…and then return home to Harrington Field."