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ROHNERT PARK - Cal State LA is headed to the NCAA West Regional after winning the 2022 CCAA Women's Soccer Championship with a 1-0 win over Sonoma State.
 
The Golden Eagles came into the tournament as the No. 3 seed and had to win an opening-round game at home to earn a trip to the final site. They then upset the No. 2 seed Stanislaus State in the semifinals and the No. 1 seed Sonoma State in the finals. They did not give up a goal in all 270 minutes of tournament play.
 
It was a scoreless first half, but the scoreboard did not stay 0-0 long after halftime as the Golden Eagles returned to the field with a noticeable bounce in their step.
 
Playing with more energy, Cal State LA created the chance for their lone goal with their aggressive play from the first whistle in the second half. Lauren Sanchez stole a ball along the sideline and dribbled it about 30 yards from the Seawolves' goal.
 
Melody Landphear was set up at the top right corner of the box with her defender on her back. Sanchez sent a low pass toward Landphear, but instead of collecting it, she let it roll past while changing her angle to create a better shield on her opponent. Landphear then rushed to the ball, beating her defender and the goalkeeper before depositing it into an empty net for the go-ahead goal.
 
The Golden Eagles would keep the pressure on the remainder of the half and just missed two other goals. Liliana Gonzalez's shot hit the crossbar, and another just missed the top corner of the goal on a free kick from the side of the box. When Sonoma State was trying to push forward in the final minutes to find the equalizer, Cal State LA kept getting a foot or body on the ball, thwarting any chance of a last-second goal.
 
When the final horn sounded, the Golden Eagles rushed onto the field to hug Landphear and all their teammates.
 
Landphear was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player after scoring in this game and assisting on the lone goal in Friday's contest. Jaclyn Orozco collected Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors for her role in Cal State LA, posting two shutouts at the final site. They were joined on the all-tournament team by their teammates, Kaelah Basurto, Liliana Gonzalez, and Areli Reyes.
 
Sonoma State placed four on the all-tournament team (Julia Pritchard, Krissy Keller, Ashley Frye, and Lexi Zandonella-Arasa), while Chico State (Emma Hofmann) and Stanislaus State (Marivic Lek-Miro) each had one.
 
Cal State LA and Sonoma State will now await their NCAA playoff fates which will be announced on the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Golden Eagles earned the conference's automatic bid, and Sonoma State will be hoping to make the field as an at-large selection.