THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Occidental defeated California Lutheran University 15–11 in overtime on Saturday at William Rolland Stadium. The Tigers capitalized on their player-up opportunities, converting two goals with the advantage, while holding the Regals to a single player-up goal.
Occidental opened the first quarter with strong offensive play, taking an early lead against Cal Lutheran.
Callie Lovekin scored the first goal at 12:46, followed by a player-up goal from
Aubrey Chang at 10:09.
Kelly Peir extended Occidental's lead to 3-0 with a goal at 7:04, assisted by
Olivia Okamoto. Cal Lutheran responded with a goal from Madison Soforenko at 6:01, but the Tigers maintained their momentum.
Ava Whelan closed the quarter with a goal at 00:46, assisted by Chang, bringing the score to 4–1 in favor of Occidental at the end of the quarter.
The Regals opened the second quarter with a quick goal by Nicki-Jean Henderson, assisted by Soforenko, at 14:40. Josie Oparanaku added another for Cal Lutheran with a free position shot at 12:59. Occidental responded with Whelan scoring at 12:02, assisted by
Tirzah Rivera, and
Ellie Mahoney connected on a player-up opportunity at 9:43. Despite the Regals' efforts, including Sydney Shin's goal at 4:37, the Tigers maintained control with two consecutive goals by Okamoto at 2:33 and 1:56, extending their lead to 9–4 by the end of the quarter.
Cal Lutheran cut into Occidental's lead during the third quarter, narrowing the gap with strategic plays. Oparanaku opened the scoring for Cal Lutheran with a player-down goal at 12:06, followed by Soforenko scoring at 9:00 on an assist from Sydnee Hill. Occidental responded with a goal by Okamoto at 9:17, but the Regals' Oparanaku struck again at 7:59, bringing the score to 10–8.
Khamille Hart-Smith found the net for the Tigers at 2:08, but Cal Lutheran's Shin completed the quarter's scoring with a free-position goal at 1:03, bringing the score to 11–9 in favor of Occidental.
Grace Morrow provided key saves for the Tigers, preventing further scoring by the Regals.
Peir initiated the scoring for Occidental in the fourth quarter with a goal just 25 seconds in. Cal Lutheran quickly responded with a goal from Oparanaku at 12:38, followed by another from Hill, assisted by Shin, during a player-up situation. The Tigers regained momentum with Rivera finding the net at 9:16, assisted by Okamoto, and Whelan scoring shortly thereafter at 8:31. Okamoto added another goal at 4:16, extending Occidental's lead. Despite several turnovers and fouls, the Tigers maintained control, securing a 15–11 victory at the end of the quarter.
Occidental Top Performers
Olivia Okamoto
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- 4 goals
- 2 assists
- 6 shots on goal
Ava Whelan
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- 3 goals
- 6 shots on goal
Kelly Peir
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- 2 goals
- Game-winning goal
- 3 ground balls
Ellie Mahoney
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- 1 goal
- 5 ground balls
Charlotte Dreyfus
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- 5 saves
- 3 ground balls
The Tigers finished the season with a record of 6–9, 2–8. The Regals have a record of 3–13, 0–10.
