California Baptist University
#5 Seeded Tarleton State University
WSOC Preview: Four Seeded CBU Set to Face Five Seeded Tarleton in WAC Tournament
11/1/2024 5:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist women's soccer program will open its 2024 postseason at the Western Athletic Conference on Sunday as the fourth seed. The Lancers will play in the first match of the tournament against the five-seeded Tarleton Texans, which will see the winner play against the one-seeded Utah Valley Wolverines in the quarterfinals.
California Baptist is coming off a scoreless draw against Grand Canyon to end the regular season, confirming GCU as the second seed and affirming a 3-3-1 regular season record for CBU. Mikayla O'Brien had a solid game between the posts against the Lopes, sporting four saves and collecting her sixth shutout of the year. CBU's backline will be heavily dependent upon the junior goalkeeper and centerback Jana Heinen heading into the conference tournament. Heinen was named to the All-WAC First Team during postseason honors for her defensive efforts throughout the regular season. Ava Lopez was also crucial to the Lancer backline and helped CBU to six shutouts this season, earning her a spot on the All-WAC Freshman team. Jayden Ramirez was also honored on the All-WAC First Team after leading the Lancers in the midfield and playing nearly every game this season.
Head Coach Kristen St. Clair's road to the championship match is challenging after drawing the five-seed Tarleton, who secured a win over CBU in the regular season with a late game-winner. After facing the Texans, the Lancers would then take on the number one-seeded Utah Valley Wolverines in the quarterfinals, who had a nearly perfect regular season with no losses and just a single tie.
California Baptist is on the hunt for its first postseason win in the Division I Era after being knocked out of the WAC Tournament during the first round in the last two seasons. Sunday's match will air on ESPN+ at 2 p.m. PST.
