THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Goalkeeper Bailey Meyer recorded 16 saves and broke the Cal Lutheran all-time saves record, Mardell Ramirez and Jessica Diaz combined for nine goals, and the Regals defeated Whittier, 12-7, in the semifinals of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Tournament.
The Regals advanced to their second straight SCIAC Championship game and will meet the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens in Claremont, Calif., on Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner will earn a spot in a play-in game for the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Meyer, a First Team All-SCIAC honoree, came into the game just six saves shy of breaking the Cal Lutheran's record for most saves in a career. She tallied 16 against the Sagehens, breaking the record, and giving her 904 for her career. She is the first Regal goalkeeper to have 900-plus saves in her career.
Lexi Rond continued her fantastic freshman season against the Poets. The Newcomer of the Year drew five ejections which now gives her an impressive 104 on the year. She is the first Regal to record 100 drawn ejections in a season.
Ramirez led the offense with five goals, including a hat trick in the first quarter alone. Diaz was next with four goals as she helped the Regals pull away late. The duo put on a show that featured great passing and execution. Kaitlin Gardhouse and Mackenzie Thomas helped move the ball around and recorded two assists each.
The defense came alive in the second half and helped propel the Regals to victory. Second Team All-SCIAC, Nikki Roed, came up big defensively and tallied three steals while Victoria Rose Meek and Ramirez were next with two each. The defense held Whittier to 1-of-6 on power play opportunities while the CLU offense flourished going 6-for-10.
The game remained close early on and CLU was up just 6-4 at the half. The defense came out on fire in the second half and held Whittier scoreless in the third quarter. The Regals outscored the Poets 2-0 and took an 8-4 lead to the fourth. The Regals kept the points coming in the fourth, outscoring the Poets 4-3, and won the game 12-7.
The SCIAC Tournament Championship comes down to Cal Lutheran and Pomona Pitzer. The teams meet Sunday at 2 p.m. with Pomona-Pitzer being the host.
Box Score: CLU 12, WC 7
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
