THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women's soccer team is back-to-back SCIAC Tournament champions! The top-seeded Regals battled through a tense, scoreless opening 70 minutes before
Elena Baltazar found the back of the net to lift Cal Lutheran to a 1-0 victory over No. 2-seed Pomona-Pitzer in the SCIAC Tournament championship Saturday afternoon at William Rolland Stadium.
In a matchup between the top two teams in the conference, neither side gave an inch early. Pomona-Pitzer applied pressure throughout the first half, outshooting the Regals 10-3 and putting seven shots on target. Cal Lutheran goalkeeper
Kira Kasarda came up with several key saves to keep the Sagehens off the board, while the defense made a crucial stop in the 29th minute. After Kasarda denied an initial attempt, Pomona-Pitzer recovered the rebound for another shot, but
Keira Hazard came up with a goal-line clearance to preserve the scoreless tie.
The Regals carried that defensive effort into the second half as Pomona-Pitzer continued to create opportunities. Cal Lutheran began to find its rhythm offensively, however, and made the most of its chance in the 71st minute.
Jessica Sprouse delivered a cross into the top corner of the box, where Baltazar finished to the back of the net at the 70:19 mark to give the Regals the breakthrough and a 1-0 lead.
With the championship within reach, Cal Lutheran turned its attention to protecting the advantage. Pomona-Pitzer continued to push forward, but the Regals stood their ground through the final 20 minutes. Keelan stepped in between the posts after Kasarda exited with an injury in the 51st minute and delivered an outstanding performance of her own, making five saves to keep the Sagehens scoreless. The two goalkeepers combined for 13 saves, with Kasarda recording eight before her exit and Keelan adding the rest in relief, as the Regals held on through the final whistle to secure the championship.
Cal Lutheran finished with 11 shots, putting four on target, while Pomona-Pitzer recorded 25 shots and 15 shots on goal. The Sagehens also held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks, but the Regals made their opportunity count.
With the victory, Cal Lutheran improves to 17-1-3 overall and completes an unbeaten SCIAC campaign. The Regals have now won 14 consecutive matches and captured their second straight SCIAC Tournament title, earning the program's fourth consecutive NCAA Division III tournament appearance.
The championship marks another historic milestone for the program, as Cal Lutheran becomes SCIAC regular-season and tournament champions in the same year for the first time in program history. Baltazar was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player following her game-winning performance.
The road continues for the Regals, as they now turn their attention to the NCAA Division III Championship. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, November 9, at 8:30 a.m. PT, when Cal Lutheran will learn its first-round opponent and destination as it prepares for another postseason run.
