By Cal Lutheran News(ROANOKE, Va. — Nov. 30, 2023) The California Lutheran University women’s soccer team is headed to the NCAA DIII National Championship for the first time in program history.
The Regals (18-1-6) advanced past Tufts University (11-5-5) with a 4-3 win on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie and is the first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) team to play for a National Championship.
With three starters leaving the game because of injuries, it was a team effort in which 22 Regals saw action in the game.
Head coach Frank Marino was joined by Regals goalkeeper Kelsey Slaugh and defensive midfielder Avery West at a press conference following the team’s semifinal win.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” he said. “I’m telling you; I’ve never seen a team play with more grit than this group. They want to be here for each other and they’re going to play the last game of the season no matter what.”
Slaugh and West were equally proud of their team and looking forward to the Championship.
“It’s crazy, it’s surreal,” West said. “But I think we deserve this and it’s our time to shine, and we’ve known that all season. This team is very special, and I think everyone’s a leader. We’re all just so excited.”
“We’re going to show them what SoCal is all about,” Slaugh said.
The Regals will face off against Washington University for the NCAA DIII National Championship at Donald J. Kerr Stadium in Salem, Virginia, on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 9 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.
The game will be livestreamed by the NCAA. For more information on the Regals semifinal win, see a recap of the game and the press conference that followed at CLUsports.com.
