Unbeaten WU Tops UCM For Cal Pac Crown
Westcliff's Jordyn Gather converted a Jysabella Tolentino pass in the 87th minute to lift the #2 seed Warriors past the top-seeded Bobcats 1-0 in the title match of the California Pacific Conference Championship Saturday in Aliso Viejo, Calif. It is the second tournament title for the unbeaten Warriors (12-0-2) , who will be making their second appearance on the national stage after earning the conference's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which starts on Thursday, Nov. 21, at sites to be determined. UCM (10-3-2) is ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll and will be looking to see if the NAIA Selection Committee might consider an at-large bid for the Bobcats.
As they did the first time the two teams went head-to-head, Westcliff and UC Merced, the Cal Pac regular season co-champions, battled for 90 minutes. In the first meeting, the two squads played to a 0-0 draw, which evened the series record to 1-1-1. The first 87 minutes of the rematch was just as competitive until the Cal Pac Newcomer of the Year, Gather, scored with the help of the Cal Pac Player of the Year, Tolentino.
In a year of strong defenses throughout the Cal Pac, it was fitting that the finale should come to a defensive clash between the two top defenses. The Warriors' defense was anchored by conference Defensive Player of the Year Kayli Cokley, who saved all nine UCM shots on goal. Bobcat keeper Alicia Lepe, a Second Team All-Cal Pac pick, saved two of the three shots put up by the Warriors.
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
#2 Westcliff 1, #1 UC Merced 0
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.