California Baptist University
#2 Seeded UCLA
WSOC Preview: Lancers Set to Face Two-Seeded UCLA in Opening Round of NCAA Tournament
11/14/2024 2:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist women's soccer team will compete in the program's first-ever NCAA National Tournament on Friday evening, squaring off with the two-seeded UCLA Bruins (16-3-3). The Lancers are coming off a successful Western Athletic Conference Tournament run last week, which saw a pair of significant comebacks on the way to the program's first tournament championship. Captian Jayden Ramirez led the squad to three wins in seven days and was dubbed the tournament's Most Outstanding Player for her efforts. California Baptist enters the first round of the NCAA Tournament 10-6-3 and is now 3-2 as a program during the post-season. The winner of Friday evening's match will advance to the second round of the tournament to face the winner of No. 7 seed Virginia Tech (11-5-3) vs. Tennessee (9-6-4).
After finishing fourth during the regular season, CBU proved to have a solid defensive backline but struggled on the offensive side. The Lancers scored just 18 goals during their first 16 matches and did not have a win in their last three games going into the WAC Tournament. Facing off against Tarleton during the first round, it was Lauryn White who broke the offensive dam and netted a pair of goals for a 2-0 victory over the Texans. The semifinals would see a similar occurrence after CBU found the back of the net thrice in the second half in 18 minutes before running out the clock to move on to the championship match. Saturday's match against the 2023 WAC Tournament Champions Grand Canyon was a dogfight that saw the Lancers equalize twice before Natalia Castro headed in the game-winner to clinch CBU's spot in the NCAA Tournament. California Baptist weathered the first half in every post-season match this season and has proven to work well under pressure, scoring all eight goals of the tournament in the second half. The pair of comeback wins prove the resilience of a mature team that will battle through all 90 minutes against the Bruins.
First-round hosts, UCLA have had a stellar season during their first year in the Big Ten. The regular season crown came down to the final wire against No. 6 USC, who scored in the 36th minute to secure first place at the end of regular season play. The Bruins continued to the Big Ten Tournament in Minnesota, blanking both Penn State and Washington on their way to the championship match. UCLA dominated Rutgers 5-0 to secure their first-ever Big Ten Tournament Championship, picking up a new Big Ten Tournament record for most goals scored in a championship match. Additionally, the 5-0 victory was the Bruin's 16th shutout this season, with four of the five goals coming from their bench, flexing UCLA's depth late into the year.
UCLA enters its 28th overall and ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance on the heels of one their most statistically successful seasons in recent years. The Bruins currently lead the nation in goals-against average at .318 after allowing just seven goals in 22 games. The first-round hosts own the third-best shutout percentage in the NCAA, blanking 16 squads this season at .727. Ryan Campbell, UCLA's starting keeper, is also the nation's leader in shutouts and has been anchor defensively with the Big Ten Tournament Champs, playing every minute possible for the Bruins between the posts and documenting 42 saves this season. Averaging just two saves per game is truly a testament to one of the best backlines in the country, also earning partial credit for their stunning 16 shutouts.
On the flip side, California Baptist's offense has come alive and does not look to be slowing down anytime soon. White leads the pack with six goals this season, with a crucial pair coming in the WAC Tournament to help CBU with their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. White owns the fourth most goals in the Western Athletic Conference, while her partner in crime, Morgan Witz, owns the second-most assists in the WAC at nine. Both were named to the WAC All-Tournament team for their efforts last week and will be on the frontline for the Lancers as they head to Westwood. Taylor Summit and Jana Heinen have been forces to reckon with during this post-season run and will take the lead on anchoring one of the best defensive squads in the WAC.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament for the Lancers is set for Friday, November 15th, at 6 p.m. in Westwood, California, at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets here or stream the match on ESPN+.
