The Lancers Earn Program's First WAC Tournament Championship

Saturday, November 9

Abilene, Tx

12:00 PM PST

California Baptist University

10-6-3, 3-3-1

#2 Seeded Grand Canyon University

11-6-3, 5-1-1

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

The Lancers Earn Program's First WAC Tournament Championship

11/9/2024 6:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Mariah Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media

ABILENE, TX--- The Comeback Kids struck again on Saturday afternoon at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament as the number four-seeded California Baptist women's soccer program dueled the number two-seeded Grand Canyon Lopes in the championship match. The Lancers would equalize the game twice before heading in the game-winner to keep their season alive and claim the program's first WAC Tournament Championship, besting GCU 3-2.

"In the first half, we were not as sharp as we would have liked to have been. Part of that was due to heavy legs, playing our 3rd game in 6 days," said Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. "Giving up an uncharacteristic goal from a missed clearance. We made a few adjustments at halftime and that really helped us get back into the game, taking the game to our opponent. Our players belief never wavered, they showed tremendous heart and grit as they fought their way back. Great goals from Morgan Witz, Grace Blumfeldt and Natalia Castro. Our seniors did a fantastic job leading us today!"

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The Lopes found the back of the net first after slotting away a ball into the bottom left of the CBU goal off a corner kick in the 26th minute. GCU would take their lead into halftime but only ahead by one goal after Summer Allen made a goal-line clearance after a pair of saves from Mikayla O'Brien to keep the Lancers in the game. Heading into the second set of 45 minutes and with their season on the line, California Baptist came out hot and scored their first equalizer of the day not even ten minutes into the second frame. A cross from Kaylee Hauck deep in the corner found Morgan Witz in the box, and the senior forward drilled a left-footed screamer into the back of the Lopes net to knot the match.

Tied at 1-1, Grand Canyon did not go quietly and resecured their lead just eight minutes later on a set-piece that worked through traffic into the bottom left corner. Witz stepped up again in the 78th minute and dribbled past a Lopes defender to get a cross-off that fell into the center of the 18-yard box. Jayden Ramirez got a touch on it, but Grace Blumfeldt made the final touch into the back of the net to tie the match again. With just ten minutes to go, CBU held firm defensively and kept GCU's attack at bay while also creating chances on the Lopes' final third. Witz would strike again as the catalyst for Natalia Castro's game-winner, a lofted ball from a corner kick that was headed in for CBU's third goal. California Baptist held strong until the final whistle and secured the 3-2 comeback win, improving their overall record to 10-6-3 on the season.

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Witz left it all on the field and tallied a pair of assists with a goal, earning her spot on the WAC All-Tournament team. Joining her is Lauryn White, Allen, Hauck, and Ramirez for their efforts during CBU's impressive tournament run. Ramirez was also named the WAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, leading her squad through three gritty wins and collecting a goal and a pair of assists during the three-game series.

"Wow, what a Championship game. I could not be happier or more proud of this team! To win our first WAC Championship after all the adversity we've gone through this season is special. Defeating the quality of teams we had to beat and the manner in which we did it makes it even more special. We are thankful for the prayers and support we've received all season long and especially this past week in Texas at the WAC championship," continued St. Clair. "On behalf of the team, a big thank you to all our family, administrators, friends and Alumni who have been traveling, following, and supporting our team all week here in Texas. We look forward to seeing who we will be competing against in the NCAA Tournament first round next week."

Prior to the 2024 WAC Tournament, California Baptist women's soccer had never won a conference tournament championship, nor had they earned a postseason win. CBU now holds a 3-2 postseason record and will continue on to the NCAA Women's Soccer National Tournament. The Selection Show is set to air on Monday at 1 p.m. PST and will determine when and who the Lancers will play next weekend.