SAN ANTONIO, Tx. – The Pomona-Pitzer women's soccer team defeated the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 1-0 with a first half goal from Taylor Venenciano to advance to tomorrow's Second Round match against the Trinity Tigers. Both teams had chances in the contest, but the Sagehens were the only team to find the back of the cage. Pomona-Pitzer outshot the Lutes 21-5 on the day, putting nine of frame while Pacific Lutheran only had one shot on goal. Pomona-Pitzer will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Trinity (Tx.) Tigers in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

How It Happened

Pomona-Pitzer pressured the Lutes from the start, recording the first four shots in the opening 12 minutes of the match. Pacific Lutheran put a shot on goal in the 15th minute,  but goalkeeper Naomi Meurice was there to make the save. The Sagehens continued to maintain early possession of the ball, recording eight more shots before arriving at their first half goal. In the 32nd minute, Hannah Mandell played the ball out of the far corner, feeding it to Ciannah Correa. Correa dribbled around her defender and went for a shot that was deflected with the ball bouncing right to Taylor Venenciano. Venenciano wasted no time, ripping a shot on the first touch, tucking it just over the keeper's hands and right under the crossbar to put the Sagehens up 1-0. Kelsey Shinatku recorded the Sagehens last shot of the half, putting a shot on goal but the Lutes goalie made the save to send Pomona-Pitzer into the half with a 1-0 lead.

Just under four minutes into the second half, Pacific Lutheran sent a shot in that went just over the top. The two teams traded possession, but Pomona-Pitzer began to settle back into their attacking ways, recording another seven shots in the half. 

With time running out, the Lutes began to play long balls hoping to catch the Sagehens out of position but Pomona-Pitzer held them to just one shot in the last five minutes of play, securing their 1-0 victory and spot in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Sagehens will take on the host Trinity (Tx.) Tigers tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM CST.