HILO, Hawaii --- Biola women's soccer won the program's first PacWest championship Saturday, beating Concordia University Irvine on penalty kicks at Vulcan Soccer Field. It was Biola Women's Soccer's first-ever conference tournament championship and the first appearance in a title game in over a decade.
Goalkeeper Sami Robinson, the tournament's Most Outstanding Defender, posted a shutout, saved a penalty kick in the shootout and even converted her own PK attempt as one of Biola's five scorers. Briley Phelps was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player for her efforts between Thursday's semifinal and Saturday's championship.
Robinson set the tone early. She made two first-half saves, including stops on Sarah Venegas and Bella Barrett, to keep the match level. Biola had its best looks before halftime from Hayden Gehring, who put two shots on frame, both saved by CUI goalkeeper Christina Sidoti. CUI held a 8-3 shot advantage at the break.
The Eagles pushed back hard in the second half, and felt like the more dangerous team throughout the second stanza and both overtime periods. Phelps and Gehring each put a shot on goal, and then Phelps rattled the top woodwork in the 85th minute. Robinson made another save on Barrett in the 86th to preserve the shutout and send the match to overtime.
In overtime, Robinson stopped Kalli Cho in the first extra period, then watched Biola outshoot CUI 4-1 in the second overtime. Phelps and Jade Alverio each tested Sidoti, but neither side could find a winner in the regular run of play.
In the championship deciding shootout, the Eagles went a perfect 5-for-5. Phelps, Gehring, Taylin Laws, Robinson and Taylor Bradshaw all converted for Biola. The Eagles shot second in the PK sequence. Robinson's save on Sloane De Torres on CUI's second attempt proved to be the difference.
CUI finished with a 16-10 edge in shots and a 10-7 edge in corners, but Biola put six shots on target to CUI's four. Robinson finished with four saves. Phelps led all Biola players with four shots, two on goal, while Gehring had three shots, all on goal. Robinson, Bradshaw, Cassidy Sims, Laws, Cognetta and Phelps played all 110 minutes.
The victory earns Biola an automatic berth into its first NCAA Division II postseason bracket with the selection show taking place Monday, November 9th at 4 p.m. Fans can view the selection show for free at NCAA.com. The win also marks Biola's first major tournament victory since winning the National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship (NCCAA) in 2017.
