Sunday, November 24, 2019

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Another match, another hero.

Western Washington has a date with Point Loma in the West Regional Championship after junior midfielder Grace Eversaul scored the golden goal for the Vikings to top Cal State LA, 1-0, in double overtime.

Eversaul’s goal came in the 103rd minute of the match off assists from senior defender Peyton Chick and senior forward/midfielder Liv Larson. Chick chipped a pass from deep as she tried to connect with Larson. Larson tapped the ball past the Golden Eagle defenders and goalkeeper to give Eversaul an easy tap-in to end the match.

The goal was Eversaul’s sixth of the season. She is now tied for the team lead in goals while also ranking tied for sixth in the GNAC with six goals and 17 points.

The Vikings dominated on both sides of the field but the Golden Eagles were able to keep the ball out of the net until Eversaul’s game-winner. The Vikings tallied 22 shots and 14 shots on goal while limiting the Golden Eagles to just four shots and two shots on goal. Karli White led the Vikings with six shots and four shots on goal while Larson had three shots, all of which were on goal.

Junior goalkeeper Natalie Dierickx made two saves in the match to secure her 10th shutout of the season and improve her record to 19-2-0. Dierickx tops the GNAC with 10 shutouts, an .843 save percentage and a 0.40 goals against average.

The win was the Vikings’ revenge for a 1-0 overtime loss against the Golden Eagles on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles. The Vikings improve to 20-2-0 on the season and extend their winning streak to 16 matches.

The Vikings advance to play Point Loma on Dec. 5 in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship. This is the fifth straight season that the Vikings have advanced to the West Regional Championship. If the Vikings defeat the Sea Lions, they will advance to play the winner between Dallas Baptist and Dixie State in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals.