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Co-Champs to Face Off in Women's Soccer Final
Posted: Nov 08, 2024

Co-Champs to Face Off in Women's Soccer Final

The co-champions of the California Pacific Conference regular season will meet in the season finale of the postseason tournament to determine which squad will advance to the NAIA National Championship.  UC Merced, ranked No. 25 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll and the top seed in the Cal Pac Championship, blanked Simpson 2-0 while #2 seed Westcliff topped Soka 1-0 in the Cal Pac Championship tournament in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

The tournament title game could not be more evenly matched.  After playing to a 0-0 draw on Oct. 10, the head-to-head history between the UCM and WU sits at 1-1-1.  This year's first meeting  left the two teams tied at the top of the Cal Pac standings, but Saturday's rematch at 6:00 pm at Soka will have a bit more on the line—the one automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship which starts Nov. 21.

 

#1 UC Merced 2, #4 Simpson 0 | Box Score

The Bobcats, recently elevated into the NAIA Top 25, continued their defensive dominance over Cal Pac opponents.  After defeating the Red Hawks, UCM (10-2-2) has not been scored on its last eight matches while amassing 33 goals.  Yareli Hernandez and Diana Rico provided all the scoring the Bobcats would need with first half goals, but it was their defense that dictated the contest.  While the UCM offense attacked the SU goal with 14 shots, 10 on goal, the miserly Bobcat allowed just two shots by SU, both in the second half, with no corner kicks.  The Red Hawks finish the season with a 5-7-3 overall record.

 

#2 Westcliff 1, #3 Soka 0 | Box Score

For the second time in two weeks the Warriors edged the Lady Lions 1-0 with a goal late in the match.  WU (11-0-2) defeated SUA on Oct. 24 when Jaida Wilson scored in the 80th minute, and Thursday it was Cal Pac Newcomer of the Year Jordyn Gather who found the back of the net, this time with 20 minutes left to play.  In both contests, defense was the key.  WU's Kayli Cokley, the Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Year, saved all three Lady Lion shots on goal to help preserve the shutout.  The Warriors outshot SUA 19-4, which put a graet of pressure on Lady Lion keeper Mackinzie Stenstrom, who responded with an outstanding effort in the box with 12 saves.  Soka finishes the season with a 9-5-1 overall record.

 

CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

At Soka | Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Thursday, Nov. 7

Semifinals

#1 UC Merced vs. #4 Simpson

#2 Westcliff 1, #3 Soka 0

Saturday, Nov. 9

Championship

6:00 pm - #1 UC Merced vs. #2 Westcliff

 

NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Nov. 21-23

First & Second Round

At sites to be determined

Dec. 2-9

Championship Round

At Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex | Pensacola, Fla.