THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - It took a penalty kick shootout to decide which team would be named SCIAC Tournament champions. Cal Lutheran converted all five of its attempts in outlasting Claremont-Mudd-Scripps to earn the title.
Box Score: CLU 1, CMS 1 - F/PK
Nicole Rains put through the fifth and final penalty kick attempt giving Cal Lutheran the SCIAC Tournament title and assuring the Regals of their spot in the NCAA Tournament.
The Regals and Athenas were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation forcing the game into overtime. After two 10-minute overtime periods featuring near misses by both squads the tournament format requires a penalty shootout to determine which team receives the SCIAC's automatic berth into the NCAA post-season.
CMS starting goalkeeper Molly Freed made 10 saves and held the Regals scoreless over the final 108 minutes of play. However the Athenas coaching staff chose to substitute keepers putting in Hannah Dunham for the shootout.
Cal Lutheran went first led off by Kaitlin Walters who set the tone scoring low and to the right. Four of CLU's five attempts were sent to the right side of the goal with Lindsay Armenta the exception. Armenta went left and despite a deflection from Dunham her shot managed to get past the CMS keeper.
After Sinead Vaughan converted the third in a row for the home squad, CMS' Michele Barnhill struck her attempt low and wide left of the goal giving the Regals the upper hand.
Taylor Will went low and to the right for the fourth leaving Nicole Rains with the chance to secure the team's NCAA post-season bid leading 4-3 in PK's. Rains struck a similar ball to that of Will's for the clincher.
Cal Lutheran led throughout the majority of Saturday's contest after Armenta scored just 69 seconds after the opening whistle. She curled one across the face of the goal putting the home side ahead with the first shot of the game.
Neither team had many scoring chances in the opening half as both squads managed only three shots through 45 minutes. Despite Cal Lutheran firing off 16 more in the second half, CMS needed only one to tie the game.
From one freshman to another Athenas Elizabeth Augustine's pass was deflected out to teammate Isabel Lester inside the 18-yard box. Lester had open space and fired one past Regals goaltender Renee Standage for the equalizer in the 79th minute.
After tense moments for each side in both overtime periods a shootout was required to determine which team would secure its spot in the NCAA tournament. The game is officially scored as a draw with Cal Lutheran earning the automatic qualifying spot after winning the shootout.
Cal Lutheran (20-1-1) will find out the details of its opening round match on Monday, Nov. 7, at 1:30 p.m. during the NCAA's online selection show.
