The NCAA soccer season is coming down to the wire and a handful of California teams secured their postseason positions this weekend. Below is a recap
The NCAA soccer season is coming down to the wire and a handful of California teams secured their postseason positions this weekend. Below is a recap of the top matches from the weekend.
#4 Stanford Men: Record: 13(W)-1(L)-2(D)
Stanford extended its unbeaten streak to 15 matches and secured at least a share of the Pac-12 Championship with a 2-0 win over Oregon State on Friday. The match looked like it would go into extra time until senior midfielder Slater Meehan scored a goal in the final ten minutes. Junior forward Jordan Morris followed up five minutes later with the second goal. Morris has eight career goals in 12 games played with the Cardinal, leading the conference in goals per game (0.67) and points per game (1.50).
#20 Cal Poly Men: Record: 10-3-5
The Mustangs closed out their regular season schedule with a 4-2 win at Sacramento State on Saturday. Four goals is the highest scored in one game this season for the Mustangs, and two of those goals were scored by senior midfielder Chase Minter. Senior goalkeeper Wade Hamilton recorded a season-high eight saves for Cal Poly. The Mustangs had hoped this win would give them first place in the Big West Conference, but rival UC Santa Barbara snatched the spot with a win over third-place UC Davis.
#25 UCLA Men: Record: 8-7-1
UCLA pulled off an impressive 4-2 upset against No. 6 Akron on Sunday in Zips territory. Sophomore forward Seyi Adekoya and freshman midfielder Jose Hernandez each scored a brace of goals. Hernandez’s strikes take him to 11 goals scored on the season. One more goal and he will have the UCLA all-time record for goals by a freshman in a single season. The Zips tied the match twice, but the Bruins held on resiliently, kept responding, and walked away with a victory.
#4 Stanford Women: Record: 16-2-0
The Cardinal secured the Pac-12 title with a 2-0 victory against UCLA on Sunday. Freshman Kyra Carusa and junior Megan Turner each scored a goal, providing another example of the team effort Stanford has shown this season, as Turner became the 12th Stanford team member to score at least one goal this season. Junior goalkeeper Jane Campbell recorded her eighth shutout of the season, which now gives her 28 in her college career. The Cardinal has dominated conference play this season going 10-0.
#15 Santa Clara Women: Record: 11-5-2
The Broncos wrapped up the weekend with a scoreless draw at Saint Mary’s and a 3-1 victory at Pacific. The Saint Mary’s goalkeeper made Friday night a challenge for Santa Clara blocking a handful of shots. Junior midfielder Julie Vass led the Broncos through the weekend, recording two shots on Friday and two of Santa Clara’s three goals on Sunday. The Broncos are currently fourth in the West Coast Conference standings.
#16 Southern California Women: Record: 13-5-1
Football isn’t the only USC program that defeated California over the weekend. The Trojans defense was strong enough on Sunday to hold the No. 20 Bears to zero goals in 1-0 victory. This was the first win for the Trojans in Berkeley since 2009 and first overall against the Bears since 2010. Junior goalkeeper Sammy Jo Prudhomme had five saves and recorded her ninth shutout of the season.
