CLAREMONT, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's soccer is headed to the Sweet 16! Isabella Veljacic crossed a beautiful ball into the box and Eden Quiroz headed in the game-winner.
It was three times the charm as the Regals defeated Pomona-Pitzer 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. The teams tied 1-1 in the regular season, the Sagehens won the SCIAC Tournament Championship 1-0, and the Regals returned the favor in the NCAA Tournament.
The Regals are making their second Sweet 16 appearance, with the first coming in 2017. They will play the winner of Emory and Hardin-Simmons. The location, date, and time are to be determined.
Kelsey Slaugh was in the goal and combined with the defensive unit of Avery West, Ally Fisicaro, Savana Durr, Brynn McMahon, and Madie Fahey to record a shutout. Slaugh had six saves in the game.
Pomona-Pitzer had their chances as they outshot Cal Lutheran 13-3. They also had the shots on goal advantage at 6-1 and corner kicks at 6-0.
The deciding factor was the lone goal. After no goals in the first half, the Regals scored early in the second half as Quiroz headed the crossed ball from Veljacic to the low right area of the goal in the 50th minute.
The Cal Lutheran offense had minimal chances against a strong Pomona-Pitzer defense. Durr, Veljacic, and Quiroz were the only Regals to account for a shot, with only the one on goal.
With the win, the Regals improved to 17-1-4 on the year. It is the seventh time, and first since 2013, that the Regals have won 17 games.
