LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Women's soccer prepares for the program's second consecutive appearance in the SCIAC Tournament, once again set to host a first round game against the Chapman Panthers.
The Tigers got the best of the Panthers in 2025, defeating Chapman 2-0 thanks to goals from Sophia Weigt and Mia Merkelbach. Occidental will look to create the same result as a year ago, this time being led by Head Coach Lydia Mitchell in the first year of her tenure at Oxy.
SCIAC TOURNAMENT WHAT TO KNOW
No. 1 (RV) Cal Lutheran Regals – 15-1-3 (10-0-2)
No. 2 (15) Pomona-Pitzer – 13-2-1 (10-1-1)
No. 3 Claremont-M-S – 11-4-3 (7-3-2)
No. 4 Occidental Tigers – 6-10-1 (6-5-1)
No. 5 Chapman Panthers – 6-8-2 (6-5-1)
The Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens are currently the only SCIAC team ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25; currently ranked No. 15.
Despite securing the conference's top seed with an undefeated 10-0-2 record in the conference and currently being ranked No. 2 in the Region X rankings, the Cal Lutheran Regals are not currently ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 but have received votes.
The Tigers are headed into the SCIAC tournament in a very similar fashion as last year, going 2-1 over their final three regular season games and picking up a huge win in the last game of the season over No. 3 seed Claremont-M-S to secure the No. 4 seed in the tournament.
Bella Calemine scored the game-winner in the 87th minute and Melanie Rodriguez made six saves to help Oxy earn a home game in the first round of the tournament.
FAMILIAR FOE
Almost a year ago to the date on November 3rd, 2025, the Tigers defeated Chapman 2-0 at Patterson Field to advance to the SCIAC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2018. Now Oxy is looking to punch their ticket back to the semifinals for the second straight season and the same opponent stands in their way.
A year ago, Oxy finally broke through with a win over Chapman in the postseason after losing both regular season games to the Panthers, each time falling 1-0. This season the two teams only met once, with the match ending in a 0-0 draw on October 7th.
The Tigers will once again be heading into the playoffs with some momentum, picking up wins in each of their last two games while Chapman is coming off of a bye over the weekend after losing to CMS 2-0 on October 28th.
VETERAN PRESENCE
Many of the players from last year's team that was able to knock out Chapman and advance, including both goal scorers Sophia Weight and Mia Merkelbach, remain on the Tigers' roster and will look to provide a calm, steady presence heading into the big game with playoff experience.
Seniors Mia Steadman, Alessia Sachi, and Jordyn Tribus all played in last year's first round game and will undoubtedly be prepared to leave it all on the field tonight as they look to extend their collegiate careers by winning and advancing to the semifinals.
TOURNAMENT OUTLOOK
With a win tonight, the Tigers would head to Thousand Oaks and face the No. 1 seed Cal Lutheran Regals.
As one of the region's top teams, the Regals proved to be a tough matchup for the Tigers this season, defeating Oxy 4-1 in Thousand Oaks on October 14th and 2-0 in Eagle Rock a week later on October 21st.
The semifinal game would be set to take place on Wednesday, November 4th.
GAME INFORMATION
For fans in attendance, bags over the size of 4.5" x 6.5" will not be permitted. Bottles will also not be allowed. Any bottles will be confiscated and thrown away. Jack Kemp Stadium has a no smoking, vaping, or alcohol policy.
Tickets can be purchased online at the link here, or at the venue. Students, staff or faculty with a SCIAC institution ID receive free admittance.
The event will be streamed live on FloCollege.
