(IRVINE, Calif.) Another week, another trophy is headed back to The Point.
A week after clinching the PacWest regular season title, top-seeded PLNU Women's Soccer added the inaugural PacWest Tournament championship to its trophy cabinet after pulling off a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory over second-seeded Hawai'i Hilo in Saturday's final.
Alana Diaz gave the Sea Lions a dream start just 1:59 into the game, latching on to
Bethany Arabe's backheel flick before powering her left-footed shot past the opposing goalkeeper.
However, the Vulcans responded with a pair of goals in the 10th and 17th minutes to take the lead.
Hilo held that 2-1 advantage until the 88th minute, when center back
Zoe Crockett was sent forward in search of an equalizing goal and found one in dramatic fashion.
Naomi Ellis' long throw reached Diaz, who laid it off first time for Crockett to loft over the keeper and into the back of the net, sending the game into overtime.
After a scoreless opening period of extra time, Arabe proved to be the hero in double overtime in the 104th minute.
Emma Thrapp sent a ball over the top that Arabe ran on to and cheekily brought the ball around a Hilo defender. Then similarly to Crockett's equalizer, Arabe lifted her shot over the goalie and into the far side netting to win the first ever PacWest Tournament for the Sea Lions.
Arabe was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, while Crockett was selected as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
PLNU outshot Hilo 27-9 overall and 9-4 in shots on goal.
Point Loma (15-2-1 overall) earns the PacWest Conference's automatic berth into the NCAA West Regional.
PLNU now awaits its seeding in the tournament, which will be announced during Monday's Selection Show at 4 p.m.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
