CLAREMONT, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's soccer (15-3-2, 9-2-1 SCIAC) defeated 1-seed Pomona-Pitzer (14-1-3, 9-0-3 SCIAC) on the road in the SCIAC Tournament Championship, taking home the program's first SCIAC Tournament Title since 2011 and the third in Cal Lutheran history. The Regals scored a pair of goals in an eight-minute span and held on for a 2-1 victory.

Pomona-Pitzer entered today's contest without a loss all season, ranked #7 in the most recent NPI. Cal Lutheran wasn't far behind at #16, making the conference title game a clash of national heavyweights. The Regals lost their SCIAC opener to the Sagehens by a score of 2-1 back on September 17 despite leading for over 70 minutes in that match.

Today's game kicked off at 12pm and had some early fireworks. Pomona-Pitzer managed to strike first with a goal late in the 18th minute.

Less than a minute later, Anna Evenson stole the ball from a Sagehens defender, dribbled up the right side, and crossed it into the box. Jessica Sprouse lightly touched it closer to the goal and past the outstretched arms of the diving goalkeeper. Riley Cardenas was waiting in front of the net, and she was able to maneuver it past the last line of Pomona-Pitzer's defense for an immediate equalizer.

Not long after the game was tied up, a Sagehens forward put some pressure on the Regals defense and created a scoring opportunity. Cal Lutheran keeper Kelsey Slaugh took a few steps forward and blocked the shot with her legs to keep Pomona-Pitzer from regaining the lead.

In the 26th minute, Slaugh punted the ball high towards midfield, and Caitlyn Turner was able to draw a foul just past the center of the pitch. This led to a set piece from Hana Sawan, and she sent the ball barreling towards the Pomona-Pitzer goal. The Sagehens goalkeeper tried to elevate and receive the ball above her head, but it slipped through her hands and into the net, giving the Regals a 2-1 advantage in the 27th minute.

The Cal Lutheran defense held strong throughout the second half and was able to keep Pomona-Pitzer off the board behind four more saves from Slaugh to clinch the Regals' first SCIAC Tournament Championship since 2011.

Defender Brynn McMahon was named SCIAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after playing 90 minutes in back-to-back wins over CMS and Pomona-Pitzer, two nationally-ranked teams. She hasn't missed a single minute of action since the Regals defeated UC Santa Cruz 4-0 back on October 11.

With the win, Cal Lutheran clinched its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and boosted its chances of hosting a regional next weekend. The Regals and their faithful fans will have to wait until Monday morning to find out who and where they will play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

There will be a watch party for the NCAA Selection Show in the Cal Lutheran Athletics Suite on Monday at 7:45am. Everyone is invited to join.