Riverside, Calif. – La Sierra University Women's Soccer won its first California Pacific Conference Title since the programs debut in the 2016-2017 academic year. The Golden Eagles defeated the #1 seed, UC Merced 1-0 and now have their sights set on the opening round of Nationals, April 15th in Santa Barbara, Calif. The Golden Eagles are 10-4 overall and 10-3 in Conference play.
On paper, it had the makings of a classic matchup for a California Pacific Conference Women's Soccer Championship title game. Top-seed UC Merced entered the contest unbeaten in seven matches this year, sat atop the North Division standings, and ranked at or near the top of all the conference team statistical categories. La Sierra, the #2 seed, put together nine wins in a shortened season, led the South Division the entire year, and--despite being the lower seed--had the home field advantage with the tournament being played in Riverside, Calif. Nine of the 11 players voted by conference coaches to the All-Cal Pac First Team came from these two programs.
On the pitch, the two teams did not disappoint as they battled for 90 minutes in heavyweight championship style, with the Golden Eagles coming out on top 1-0 to earn the program's first Cal Pac title.
With the victory, LSU, 10-4, advances to the NAIA Women's Soccer Championship Opening Round, which will be held in Santa Barbara, Calif., at Westmont College. The winner of each opening round site moves on to the championship rounds at Foley Sports Tourism Championship Field, Foley, Ala., beginning April 27.
When LSU and UCM met about two weeks ago in Merced, Calif., the Bobcats came out on top 1-0 with a first-half Emily Burnett goal marking the difference between the two teams. In tonight's rematch, it was a Mariah Anaya first-half goal that proved to be the difference.
In the first 35 minutes, both teams were aggressively pushing the ball, transitioning with crisp passing, but both with teams playing their trademark solid defense, neither side was able to finish a scoring drive. Finally, in the 38th minute, off a free kick that turned into a flurry of action in front of the net, Anaya--who assisted on both LSU goals in the semifinal win--punched the ball into an open goal for what would become the match's only score.
In the second half, UCM picked up the offensive pressure, but could not capitalize on any opportunity. With Burnett, Jocelyne Garcia, D Covarrubias, and Maddy Door driving the attack, the Bobcats battled but failed to break through the stingy Golden Eagle defense, anchored by goalie Ashley Villagrana and aided tremendously by the play of defenders Savannah Aborqui, Marisol Bravo, Celena Perales, and Maribel Maciel.
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
At La Sierra | Riverside, Calif.
Friday, April 9
1:00 pm - Semifinal: #1 UC Merced 2, #4 Saint Katherine 0
4:00 pm - Semifinal: #2 La Sierra 2, #3 Simpson 0
Saturday, April 10
8:15 pm - Championship: #2 La Sierra 1, #1 UC Merced 0
April 15-17
NAIA WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TOURANMENT
Opening Round
At Westmont College, Santa Barbara, Calif.
April 27 -May 3
NAIA WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TOURANMENT
At Foley Sports Tourism Championship Field, Foley, Ala.
link to Cal Pac article: http://www.calpacathletics.com/article/3838
