(ROANOKE, Va. — Sept. 14, 2023) Cal Lutheran women's soccer is headed to the NCAA DIII National Championship for the first time in program history! 

The Regals (18-1-6) advanced past Tufts University (11-5-5) 4-3 in penalty kicks and is now the first SCIAC team to play for a National Championship. 

The Regals first four all converted as Eden Quiroz, Ally Fisicaro, Ashley Escamilla, and Hana Sawan found the net. The Jumbos missed their first kick and Cal Lutheran goalkeeper Kelsey Slaugh made the save to clinch her team's spot in the championship game. 

It was a complete team effort as 22 Regals saw action in the game. With three starters going out due to injury, the team persevered and showed grit and resilience. Slaugh, Fisicaro, Brynn McMahon, and Quiroz played all 110 minutes. More Regals that saw playing time were Avery West, Savana Durr, Anna Evenson, Adriana Maroney, Elisa Shott, Escamilla, Isabella Veljacic, Ryan Kaneko, Caitlyn Winter, Elena Baltazar, Madie Fahey, Sawan, Maya Blodgett, Hannah Gamez, Alyssa Moran, Kari Orr, Sophia Saiki, and Macey Peery. 

West scored the lone regular-time goal for the Regals in the 18th minute, and all-around team defense plus a stellar performance from Slaugh in goal highlighted the match. 

After two tightly contested overtime periods where neither team could get a goal, Slaugh and the Regals prepared for their second penalty kick shootout of the NCAA Tournament, the first coming against Christopher Newport University in the Elite Eight. 

The Regals played a strong first half on both ends of the pitch. Shots were almost even with the Regals having a slight advantage of 5-4, but the Regals earned three corner kicks and kept the Jumbos on the outside of the box. They took advantage of the set-piece plays as West scored off a corner kick to get the Regals on the board. 

The Jumbos flipped the script in the second half, outshooting the Regals 10-3 and dominating time of possession. They scored the equalizer in the 81st minute off a free kick just outside the Regals' box. 

Slaugh and the defense was the X-factor for the Regals in the win. They stifled any set-piece plays that the Jumbos set up throughout the match and Slaugh recorded four saves, none bigger than the final save to close it out for the Regals. 

The Regals will face off against the winner of Messiah University vs. Washington University for the National Championship at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. PST.