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!

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. The bracket will be announced on Monday, April 13 at 5 p.m. PT

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."
 
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