box score

SAN DIEGO -- The NAIA No. 4-ranked Sea Lions were defeated in a shootout by No. 5-ranked Azusa Pacific University in the Finals of the GSAC Conference Tournament Friday.



After 90 scoreless minutes of regulation and two overtimes, the visiting Cougars prevailed 4-2 on penalty kicks in both teams' last match before the opening rounds of the NAIA National Championships.
 
“[The loss] is really heartbreaking,” said sophomore defender Madi White, “but the thing we have to remember is we're still GSAC champions and our season isn't over.”
 
The Sea Lions entered Friday's contest as the top seed in the GSAC Tournament, defeating Fresno Pacific 6-0 and Westmont College 1-0 in overtime during the first two rounds.
 
Third-seeded APU came into the Final after posting wins over Vanguard and The Master's College.
 
Most of the match was characterized by defense, with neither team getting a shot off until over 15 minutes in.
 
The teams battled back and forth to finish regulation tied 0-0. After two sudden-death extra periods, the game remained a scoreless tie, and the both squads prepared to settle the title in a shootout.
 
“That was a flat-out dogfight between two really good teams,” said Head Coach Tim Hall. “It could have gone either way. Either team deserved to win it.”
 
The atmosphere was electric as junior All-GSAC goalkeeper Tiffany Kracy stepped up to face the first Azusa shooter, Kendra Trifonovitch. However, Trifonovitch scooped the ball in the far left side of the net to give the Cougars a 1-0 shootout lead.
 
Hall chose senior All-GSAC defender Erica Wessels to take to first penalty kick for the Sea Lions, and she promptly netted the equalizer.
 
Following Wessels' score, Emily Wood scored to give APU a 2-1 edge, but All-GSAC forward Katie Pedlowe's shot was blocked by APU goalkeeper Alexa Douglas.
 
Markie Gleason scored again for the Cougars, and All-GSAC defender Jessica Van Loo was again denied by Douglas.
 
After Lynsey Browne's attempt hit off the left post, Kracy pulled the Sea Lions back within one with her own score.
 
But unfortunately for the Green and Gold, Natalie Sun's shot was good, and the Cougars clinched the GSAC Tournament title.
 
“I think we played with a lot of heart,” said All-GSAC midfielder Kallie Caldwell. “I think the girls left everything on the field.”
 
Though the Sea Lions were defeated, the match counts as a tie, leaving their record at 18-1-2 on the season.
 
Next Saturday, the Sea Lions will play at home in the opening round of the National Championships. The time and opponent have yet to be determined.