[
Box score] [
Tournament Central]
POMONA, CALIF. - Angelina Rivas scored on a throw-in six minutes into the first overtime to send the Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer team to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Throw-ins played crucial roles for the No. 1 seeded Broncos as they capitalized on two from the same area to defeat the defending national champions and No. 2 seed Point Loma, 2-1 (Nov. 29).
Marisa Salazar gave the Broncos the early lead with a goal in the 15th minute after Tara Oper's throw-in found the head of
Auburn Burnett. She flicked the ball into open space in the box, where Salazar beat two defenders to the ball and finished from 10 yards out for her second goal in the NCAA regional.
Point Loma tied the match right three minutes after halftime on a long pass that Alana Diaz was able to chip over the keeper for the equalizer.
The score remained 1-1 through regulation and half of the first overtime.
Georgia Rink started the game-winning play with a throw along the sideline to Oper. She headed the ball to
Vanessa Cruz and, with her back turned, put a pass just inside the corner of the 18-yard box. The Sea Lions got a foot on the ball first but not with enough force to clear it.
Rivas pounced on the ball and seized the small window of opportunity inside the box. She took one touch to her left before finishing with her left foot just under the crossbar. It was the junior's fourth game-winning goal and second in the postseason.
The Broncos' two wins in the NCAA Tournament have come against the last two national champions. They defeated Western Washington in the second round before the victory over PLNU. This is CPP's first appearance in the final eight since 1999.
Cal Poly Pomona will host the national quarterfinal match on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. It will play the winner of the south central regional, Angelo State (13-1-5) and Colorado School of Mines (19-0-1).