"This story was updated after the NCAA Tournament Bracket was Released"
IRVINE, Calif. – For the first time in program history, the Concordia University Irvine women's water polo program is heading to the NCAA Water Polo Championships! CUI will face Wagner in the first game of the National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Tournament on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. PT down in La Jolla.
The Golden Eagles outlasted their rivals from Biola in the WWPA Championship Game to win the conference tournament in their first year as league members.
It was a low-scoring game where defense reigned supreme as Concordia won 4-3. Neither team scored more than one goal in any period.
Concordia junior goalkeeper
Jaden Soto was superb for the second straight day. The Murrieta, Calif. native was named Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament after racking up 11 saves against Biola.
A First Team All-WWPA selection and also now a member of the WWPA All-Tournament Team, Soto had also collected 15 saves in
Saturday's semifinal win over Cal State Monterey Bay.
Emeline Smiley scored the first Concordia goal shortly after Biola had struck first. In the second period, WWPA Newcomer of the Year and standout freshman
Mia Hueston found the back of the net to make it 2-2 shortly before halftime.
Munroe Blem cashed in for a crucial goal off a pass by
Hannah Edwards to put the Golden Eagles in front 3-2 in the third. Edwards found a tight window to get the ball to Blem late in the possession and it was a timely connection.
After Biola tied the contest 3-3 with 7:16 remaining in regulation, Soto came up with a key save.
A couple minutes later, CUI freshman
Amber Lewis scored off a pass from Hueston for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
CLICK HERE for Postgame Interviews with Coach Greenawalt, Tyukasz & Soto
Concordia will now get to play on the national stage at UC San Diego later this month. The NCAA Tournament features nine D1/D2 teams and begins on Wednesday, April 22 and runs through Sunday, April 26.
UPDATE: The bracket was announced on Monday and Concordia will face Wagner College in the play-in game on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. PT at Canyonview Pool. The winner advances to play top-seeded Stanford at 12 p.m. PT on Friday, April 24 at the same location.
CLICK HERE for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show Information
"It was our goal from the beginning of the year and for the whole team and there were ups and downs all year," said CUI head coach Casey Greenawalt. "We've been such a great family and working hard together, our culture is great and it's been fun, this is the icing on the cake."
"Winning the conference for the first time in Division II is something that still hasn't fully sunk in," said CUI junior goalkeeper Jaden Soto in an interview with the school newspaper - the CUI Courier. "It's a mix of pride and validation; especially for the work this group has put in over the past year. We've had talented teams before, but this time it felt like everything finally came together at the right moment. To be part of something that sets a new standard for the program is honestly really special."
"Honestly, our team bond: It's like nothing else," added senior attacker Kennedy Brubaker. "Last year we only had three returners, but this year we had a lot more experience, so we were able to welcome the new players and really build strong chemistry as a team."
WWPA All-Championship Team
First Team
Most Outstanding Player: Jaden Soto, Jr., Concordia
Mia Hueston, Fr., Concordia
Anna Tyukasz, So., Concordia
Fernanda Luna, So, Biola
Gwendolyn Pidd, So., Biola
Matipa Karimazondo, Fr., Salem
Kristen Hemmila, Sr., Salem
Kaya Eaton, Sr., Cal State Monterey Bay
Second Team
Maria Martinez, Fr., Gannon
Jazmine Sandoval, Sr., McKendree
Regan Hamilton, Sr., Fresno Pacific
Shea Tully, Sr., Cal State Monterey Bay
Kara Wicht, Jr., Salem
Ava LoBue, Sr., Biola
Munroe Blem, So., Concordia
CLICK HERE to go to the WWPA Conference Championship Tournament Website
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's water polo schedule
