(NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Sept. 14, 2023) Cal Lutheran women's soccer continues its run in the 2023 NCAA Division III Soccer Championship as they head to Newport News, Va., for their Sweet 16 matchup with Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT.
The first game pits No. 23 Virginia Wesleyan against the host, No. 1 Christopher Newport. The winners will meet in the Elite 8 at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday.
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Tickets will be on sale an hour before the start of each game. It is $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors, students, and children; children under two are free. Buying a ticket will work for both days.
A Look at the Teams
Cal Lutheran – 17-1-4
The Regals defeated Carleton 3-2 in the first round and Pomona-Pitzer 1-0 in the second to advance to their second Sweet 16 in program history. The Regals boast six All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) players with Avery West tabbed Defensive Player of the Year. Ally Fisicaro, Eden Quiroz, and Isabella Veljacic joined West on the First Team and Savana Durr and Adriana Maroney were Second Team.
Christopher Newport – 18-0-2
The Captains defeated Marymount University 7-0 in the first round and 3-2 in the second and are in their fifth Sweet 16. The team earned four Coast-To-Coast (C2C) conference major honors as Reanna Slater was Defensive Player of the Year, Amy Sidaway was Rookie of the Year, Natalie Sward was Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Head Coach Jamie Gunderson was Coaching Staff of the Year. Seven Captains were First Team and two earned Second Team.
Hardin-Simmons – 17-1-3
The Cowgirls took down Trinity (TX) 1-0 and tied Emory 1-1, advancing on penalty kicks 3-2, to make their 13th Sweet 16 appearance. They have three award winners; Gabby Aviles was Midfielder of the Year, Alexis Templin was Offensive Freshman of the Year, and Alyssa Stanley was Co-Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year. The team garnered six First Team honorees and one Second Team.
Virginia Wesleyan – 17-3-2
The Marlins opened the NCAA tournament with a tie to Montclair State 2-2 and advanced to the second via 2-1 in penalty kicks. They then took down Johns Hopkins 2-1 and are making their fourth Sweet 16 appearance. Sam Crawford was the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Rachel Quigley was Defensive Player of the Year, and Jeff Bowers was Coach of the Year. The Marlins got four First Team honorees and three on Second Team.
