Box Score REDLANDS, CA: Pomona-Pitzer saved its most impressive defensive performance of the season for its biggest stage yet, shutting out #1 seed Redlands 1-0 at Farquhar Fields to advance to the SCIAC Championship for the second time in program history.
For the second consecutive season in SCIAC Tournament play, the fourth overall seed knocked off the number one seed on the road by a final score of 1-0 after splitting the season series 1-1. While Redlands was able to ride the four-seed magic all the way to a SCIAC Championship in 2014, they fell victim to it in 2015 as the fourth-seed Pomona-Pitzer defeated the first-seed Bulldogs 1-0 in the SCIAC Tournament Semifinals at Farquhar Fields. In a truly wacky match that started with an hour-long delay, had uncharacteristically chilly weather, and had remarkable levels of physicality the entire way through, the Sagehens managed to prevail over all adversity thrown their way en route to returning to the SCIAC Championship for the first time since 2012.
After the opening kickoff took place a mere 65 minutes after its scheduled time, all fans in attendance at Farquhar Fields were treated to one of the most exhilarating, emotional, and down-right crazy halves of soccer a spectator could ever ask for from the Bulldogs and Sagehens. While the two squads were evenly matched in the early going, Redlands (11-5-2) earned a great scoring opportunity in the 28th minute with a penalty kick off a Sagehen handball in the box. However, a remarkable save by Goalkeeper Annie Wedel that saw her use every inch of her body to block the Redlands shot just inside the right post kept the match locked at 0-0. Less than two minutes later, another Sagehen handball in the box gave the Bulldogs another excellent scoring opportunity to break open a tight match. Wedel came up huge for the Hens once again, making a diving save to the left post this time to stave off the Bulldogs attack and send the Sagehen faithful into a frenzy.
With momentum shifted to their side after Wedel's tremendous two saves, Pomona-Pitzer (10-8-1) would get on the board in the 40th minute in the only way suitable for the 39 minutes preceding it: pandemonium. Struggling to find their offensive footing early against the tenacious Bulldog defense, the game-winning goal all started a long pass by Lindsay Mooradian that overshot the intended target of Sara Sherburne down the far sideline. While Redlands Goalie Hannah Menk came to the far side of the box to cut it off, an unclean handling of the pass led to a Sherburne steal and a pass to Peri Cuppens just outside the 18'. With only Bulldog Defenders guarding the net, Cuppens waited for the perfect opportunity to sneak the ball just inside the right post to give the Hens a 1-0 just before half.
While the last 45 minutes of the half did not have the same amount of wackiness as the first 45, the Sagehens were able to assert their presence on the offensive end early and take firm control of the match. Allowing only two shots on goal in the second half, the stingy Sagehen defense led by strong performances from Nadia Alaiyan, Natalie Barbaresi, Lindsay Mooradian, and Jamie Kerester helped Pomona-Pitzer hold on for their first shutout since their 7-0 win over Redlands on September 23.
Annie Wedel picked up the win in goal for the Sagehens, tallying four critical saves in the first 36 minutes keep the match locked at 0-0. Corey Goelz would finish out final 45, saving the only two shots on goal she faced while playing a huge role in thwarting through-ball looks for the Bulldogs down the stretch.
Pomona-Pitzer will face off against Cal Lutheran in the SCIAC Championship at William Roland Stadium at 7pm. A full list of information about live coverage for the Championship will be listed in the match preview.
