BACK-TO-BACK! Lancers Cap Off Historic Comeback to Win WAC Tournament

Saturday, November 8

Orem, UT

3 PM PT

California Baptist University

10-8-4, 6-3-1

Utah Valley University

14-4-3, 9-0-1

California Baptist

Utah Valley

BACK-TO-BACK! Lancers Cap Off Historic Comeback to Win WAC Tournament

11/8/2025 6:40:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Matt Horrocks, Assistant Athletic Director of Communications and Digital Media

OREM, UT. --- The champions of the WAC Tournament still reside in Riverside, as the Lancers successfully mounted a historic comeback on Saturday against the Utah Valley Wolverines. Facing a 2-0 hole in the second half, CBU responded with two goals to force overtime, leading to the second penalty shootout victory of the week for the Lancers.

CBU will now see its season extend, as they have clinched an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

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It would have been easy for panic to set in on the CBU bench, as the hosting Wolverines netted a goal in the 35th minute to take the lead, and then added to it in the 54th minute to double the advantage. But the Lancers continued to fight, knowing a loss would end their season.

The first break came in the 61st minute when Kaylee Hauck was taken down inside the penalty area, but no foul was initially called. The center official resorted to VAR to determine the call, and after review, a penalty was awarded. Anja Jestrovic stepped up to take the attempt, and she succeeded, cutting the deficit in half.

Ten minutes later, VAR was needed again. On a Jestrovic cross into the box, the ball bounced off UVU goalkeeper Leah Wolf and then found the body of Taylor Held who netted the equalizer. Video review was assessed to determine if Held was offside, and it was determined she was not.

After another ten minutes of soccer, seemingly right on cue, the referee went to the replay booth once again. This time, it was to determine if the Wolverines were offside on what looked to be Faith Webber's second goal of the night. The video was analyzed, and it was determined that Webber was offside, keeping the match level at two.

Ten more minutes would go by, and this time the referee's whistle would signal the end of regulation.

For the second time this week, the Lancers marched into overtime, knowing a goal would immediately send them to the NCAA Tournament, or worse, end their season. The Lancers got two great looks at goal in extra time, the first coming in the 91st minute when Hauck missed narrowly on a strike to the lower corner. Four minutes later, it was Jestrovic trying to play hero, but her chance missed by inches.

Once again, 110 minutes of soccer could not prove a winner, sending the Lancers to a penalty shootout.

After UVU opened the shootout with a goal, Jestrovic responded with a goal of her own. After misses by both the Lancers and Wolverines in round two, UVU responded with a goal that was followed by one from Hauck. Chance three for UVU was denied, and Ava Westlund responded to give the Lancers the lead. It eventually came down to Mikayla O'Brien, CBU's goalkeeper, who proved to be a stonewall throughout Saturday's match. O'Brien stepped up and delivered, as her penalty goal clinched the conference title.

THE 🏆 IS COMING HOME!!!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/2WRuhYqUcz
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) November 9, 2025

O'Brien was masterful in the win, which came with Most Outstanding Player honors for the WAC Tournament. She finished the match with eight saves, including two in the closing minutes of extra time to save CBU's season.

The Lancers can rest easily tonight as they know another game is still to come. CBU's opponent will be determined on Monday as part of the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.