The Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team conceded only one goal during this year’s NCAA Division II Tournament.
But that single blemish ended the Broncos’ quest to win a second consecutive national championship.
Sara Batchadji’s goal 5 minutes into the second half proved the difference Thursday evening, as Florida Tech held on for a 1-0 victory over the defending champions in a semifinal match played at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Cal Poly Pomona (18-3-3) posted shutouts in the first four rounds and allowed only 11 goals entering Thursday’s semifinal match. But the Broncos ran into an equally-strong defensive Florida Tech squad that has surrendered just 19 goals this season.
Vanessa Cruz, the two-time CCAA Player of the Year, nearly gave Cal Poly Pomona the lead in the 12th minute, when she ripped a shot from the right corner of the 18-yard box. The ball was headed for the top of the net, but Florida Tech goalkeeper Kaitlin Sinkler made the flying save. Cruz had another chance in the 20th minute, but her volley sailed high.
Florida Tech (16-3-6) had scoring opportunties in the first half, as well. Izzie Bromage was played through into the box in the 26th minute, but Cal Poly Pomona defender Mikaela Marr stuck her foot out to deflect the shot. The best chance for the Panthers came in the 35th, but Savannah Oxley’s header from a free kick by Alice Mottershead sailed just over the bar.
Oxley switched play with a long diagonal pass to Batchadji during the 50th minute. Batchadji settled the ball and took an additional touch before letting loose with her left foot from the top left corner of the box. Cal Poly Pomona goalkeeper Jenna Tetrault got a hand onto the shot but not enough to prevent the ball from bouncing into the net and giving Florida Tech the lead.
Cal Poly Pomona nearly found the equalizer during the 55th minute, but a shot by Kiarra D’Arcangela’s was deflected. Cruz had the best opportunity to level the score, but her header inside the box in the 57th minute rattled the woodwork.
Marissa Salazar and Angelina Rivas fired off shots in the final 15 minutes of the match but were unable to beat Sinkler.
Thursday was just the third time the Broncos failed to score this season. All three of their losses were identical 1-0 scores.
Florida Tech advanced to Saturday night’s final and will square off with Franklin Pierce for the national championship. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in a nonconference match in October.
