ROHNERT PARK -- Cal State LA's women's soccer team earned its way into the NCAA Tournament after a thrilling victory in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament championship game.
The No. 3 seed Golden Eagles got a go-ahead goal from
Melody Landphear early in the second half and made it stand up for a 1-0 win over No. 1 seed and tournament host Sonoma State Sunday on Seawolf Soccer Field. Cal State LA (11-3-6 CCAA) completed a terrific run through the tournament that included a 2-0 win over Cal Poly Pomona, a 1-0 win over Stanislaus State and the tremendous 1-0 win over Sonoma State on Sunday.
The Golden Eagles won the tournament title for the third time in program history and for the first time since 2014. They also assured themselves an NCAA Tournament bid for the second time in three seasons.
The game was a tremendous defensive battle between two of the best defenses in the country. The Golden Eagles came out of the gates with a flurry in the second half and that essentially was the difference in the game. After some relentless offensive pressure from
Liliana Gonzalez created some opportunities, Landphear received a pass from
Lauren Sanchez in the box, and, despite some good pressure from the Sonoma State defense, lofted a shot inside the far post for the lone goal of the game.
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Landphear, who also assisted on
Kaelah Basurto's game-winning goal in the semifinals against Stanislaus State, was named the Tourney Most Valuable Offensive Player. Her goal on Sunday was her third of the season. Sanchez picked up her second assist of the season.
Even after taking the lead, Cal State LA kept up the pressure early in the second half and almost made it 2-0 a few minutes later when Gonzalez fired a shot off the crossbar, only to see it bounce away.
Moments later,
Shelby Melin took a free kick in Sonoma State's territory that sailed just over the crossbar.
Sonoma State, the regular-season co-champion and No. 1 seed, had its chances as well and goalkeeper
Areli Reyes, the CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year, made several quality catches of dangerous crosses before the Seawolves could get to them. She made three saves for the team's 13th shutout of the season.
Sonoma State had a 16-10 advantage in shots, including a 10-5 edge in the first half. Both teams had two corner kicks.
For the Golden Eagles, the win on Sunday gave them the third tournament championship in program history, joining the 2009 and 2014 teams.
Landphear was named the tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player and
Jaclyn Orozco was named the tourney's Most Valuable Defensive Player. They were joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Reyes, Gonzalez and Basurto.
Cal State LA will now find out the NCAA Tournament pairings on a selection show on ncaa.com on Monday at 4 p.m.
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