IRVINE, Calif. – It turns out that the first time, the second time and the third time were the charm for the Golden Eagles when it comes to playing Cal State Monterey Bay.
And now a season full of firsts could include a couple more.
Playing in the WWPA semifinal for the first time, top-seeded Concordia University Irvine accomplished the difficult task of beating a conference opponent three times in one season on its way to reserving a spot in Sunday's WWPA Championship Game.
First Team All-Conference selection
Jaden Soto was fantastic in the cage and racked up 15 saves. CUI held CSUMB to only three goals the entire afternoon. That was also the lowest amount of goals that the Golden Eagles have allowed in a game all season.
Fellow First Team All-Conference honoree
Mia Hueston led the offense with two goals and an assist. The true freshman was joined by senior sprinter
Hannah Edwards and
Munroe Blem who each chipped in with one goal and one assist apiece.
Sofia Smith,
Sierrah Ferguson and freshman
Amber Lewis also found the back of the net to give CUI some breathing room.
But the story of the game was the suffocating defense by the Green and Gold.
Emeline Smiley was credited with a team-high three steals and Ferguson also had two more swipes.
Remarkably, Soto and her CUI teammates did not allow the Otters to score at all in the second or third periods. CSUMB only had one goal until midway through the fourth period.
"It was an amazing job by our defense," said Soto. "Communication is key and our communication was great today, and as a goalie it just makes it easier. We know where everyone's at and we are all on the same page."
CLICK HERE to hear the full Postgame Interviews with CUI's Jaden Soto, Sofia Smith & Kennedy Brubaker
The Golden Eagles will face another familiar opponent – their rivals from Biola University – in Sunday's 1:45 p.m. PT showdown at Woollett Aquatics Center.
Biola won the first meeting and Concordia returned the favor with
a thrilling 12-11 victory in sudden death overtime last Thursday to secure the No. 1 seed in the west.
Now they get a rubber match for a chance to reserve their spot in the NCAA Tournament.
"It's a huge opportunity for our program and for our school," admitted Brubaker. "(It's our) first year in the conference and the chance to go to nationals would be awesome."
Cal State Monterey Bay will face Salem, the No. 1 seed from the east, in the third place game at noon before the championship contest.
CLICK HERE to go to the WWPA Conference Championship Tournament Website
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's water polo schedule
