Sunday, November 13, 2016

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Western Washington’s first-ever NCAA playoff appearance came to an end on Saturday with a 2-0 loss against UC San Diego at Triton Field in the West Regional semifinals.

No. 6 seed Western Washington finished the season 10-5-4, ending the Vikings’ six-match winning streak. No. 2 UC San Diego improved to 17-2-2 and will play No. 5 Cal Poly Pomona in the West Regional final.

The Vikings had the first scoring opportunity of the match with a header from a cross into the box hitting the near goal post before being cleared by the Triton defense. The Vikings continued to create similar scoring opportunities with 14 total shots in the match, including six on goal.

The Tritons only took 12 shots, but made the most of their opportunities. In the 11th minute, a loose ball rolled outside the 18-yard box and Jeff Powers was the first to get to it, striking immediately off his toes into the lower right side of the net for his first goal of the season.

UC San Diego scored again in the 70th minute off a free kick with Kuba Waligorski knocking the ball in from close range. The Vikings continued creating opportunities like they had done all season with 17.4 shots per match, but were never able to find the back of the net.

In October, the Vikings were 4-4-4 on the season, but won their last five matches of the regular season to reach the playoffs. The streak was pushed to six with a 3-2 overtime win against No. 19 Dixie State in the first round of the Vikings’ first ever playoff appearance in the NCAA before UC San Diego ended the WWU season.