The California Lutheran University Regals soccer team (12-3-2, 8-2-1 conference) extended their win streak to four and shut out the Chapman University Panthers (8-6-3, 5-4-2 conference) 2-0 Wednesday night at William Rolland Stadium.
The first half ended with the Regals and Panthers square in a 0-0 tie. However, things turned around for the Regals in the second half, when junior midfielder and captain Hana Sawan scored the Regalsโ first goal of the game, assisted by the Panthers. As Sawan kicked the ball, a Panthers player also pushed the ball into the net with their head.
โIt felt great. Obviously I had some help from the other team to put it in, but, you know, we were working hard in that second half, so Iโm just glad I could contribute to getting it in for us,โ Sawan said.
Senior defender Tessa French was able to secure the second and final goal for the Regals later on in the second half. French said scoring the goal was a team effort, but she was there to help secure it.
โI canโt take all the credit. I mean, Riley [Cardenasโ] cross was insane, and I was just there to finish it,โ French said. โWe all dug in, we all wanted that second goal, and it just happened, and I guess I was just the one to do it, but it was a team effort.โ
Head Coach Frank Marino said the team pulled through in the second half after struggling through the first. Marino said the team was โstarting to create chances,โ and โput them [Chapman] on their heelsโ in the second half.
โWe didnโt play our, necessarily, best, but we found a way to win the game. Itโs a sign of a good team when you can find ways to win when youโre not playing your best,โ Marino said.
Sawan said the team is playing well right now and had the right mentality for the game.
โThis was a must-win game for us to secure first or second place in the [Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference] ranking,โ Sawan said.
According to NCAA Division III women’s soccer standings, Cal Lutheran currently slots in at No. 22 in the nation. French said the ranking is a testament to the team’s work ethic and “effort.”
โI mean, obviously itโs really, really awesome. And I think we deserve it as a team,โ French said. โWe worked so hard this season, and we put a lot of effort in, a lot of blue collar grit. I think all of us deserve it, and Iโm just really excited, and I love this team.โ
During the game, all Regals team members wore green ribbons in their hair to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. Cal Lutheran student-representatives from The Hidden Opponent, a mental health awareness nonprofit organization, were in attendance at the game, where all attendees were encouraged to wear green.
Sawan said maintaining her love for soccer while taking care of herself mentally can be challenging.ย
โI think itโs definitely hard to balance, but having the support system that we have here is definitely very helpful,โ Sawan said. โJust prioritizing yourself, taking time when you need it, and just making sure that you donโt let soccer take over your life, while making it a priority in season.โ
Marino said he credits the Regals for taking initiative in maintaining a strong support system throughout the season.
โThey have a great culture, they support each other, theyโre there for each other, they care for each other. They do an unbelievable job supporting each other to help each other do well,โ Marino said.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Regals tied the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas 0-0 in their final away game of the regular season.
The Regals will play their final game of the regular season at home against the Whittier College Poets on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
