In 2003, Elaine Benditson inspired the concept and the Cal Lutheran Scholar-Athlete Society was created to acknowledge the academic achievements of CLU athletes. The institution believes it is important to give special emphasis to those students who are competing rigorously to achieve excellence in the classroom and in their chosen sport. The Kingsmen and Regals honored during the ceremony have each proven to bring equal dedication and discipline to both the classroom and chosen fields of play.

Boasting a 3.40 or higher cumulative grade point average during the academic year, the 2013 induction class was the largest in the 10-year history of the society. The inaugural class had 36 inductees.

Of the student-athletes who participated in 2012-13, 62% (307 of 493) earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Nearly 30% (144) produced a 3.5 or higher GPA. The total GPA for all CLU sports teams this year was 3.147. Offering 20 intercollegiate sports, 16 of those teams produced higher team GPAs in 2012-13 than in 2011-12. Additionally, during the fall semester 12 athletes earned a perfect 4.0.

Following the presentation of gifts to those inducted, a pair of distinguished student-athletes was recognized. Senior golfer and bioengineering major Chad Kimmelshue and senior swimmer and liberal studies major Cortney Jordan were selected by the CLU Faculty Athletic Policies Committee as the Male and Female SCIAC Scholar Athlete, respectively.

While Kimmelshue was in Florida competing at the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships, Jordan, a two-time Paralympian and S7 American Record Holder in 17 events, took to the podium.

Going on to be an ambassador and speaker for the Paralympics, Jordan stepped up to the microphone where she engulfed the audience with a sincere and strong message. She spoke to four phenomenal points:

1. The gift of being in the moment.
2. Passion for what you are doing.
3. Focusing on teammates and how others will remember you and how you can make others feel good.
4. Never-Ever giving up!

During her speech she also touched on the notion of cherishing differences, respecting others, assuming responsibility and having no regrets.  

Cal Lutheran attracts students from all walks of life and areas of the world. Its diversity is unique and the passion that each and every student possesses is special. For many, one of those passions is sport, in turn producing amazing student-athletes for the Kingsmen and Regals year in and year out.

Scholar Athlete Society: 2013 Induction Class
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There are 178,441 DIII student-athletes as compared to 459,253 in Division I and II combined from coast to coast. Division III, however, represents the largest division in the NCAA at 40 percent of the total membership.

The NCAA sponsors 28 Championship events with 14 for men and 14 for women. There are also eight National Collegiate Championships. Overall, CLU sponsors 20 intercollegiate athletic programs, which is above the average (17) of like institutions.

Cal Lutheran is one of the 80 percent of active institutions that are private with 20 percent of DIII schools on public campuses. Across the board the average enrollment of Division III schools is 2,734.

All of the schools that fall in the Division III category are expected to promote the model of discover, develop and dedicate. CLU is right on track with that mantra by succeeding academically and athletically while giving back to the community.

In 2013 there will be CLU 147 student-athletes inducted into the Scholar Athlete Society by holding a 3.40 or higher cumulative grade point average. This number is higher than it has ever been and numerous student-athletes throughout the season have earned both Academic All-SCIAC and other sport specific academic accolades.

CLU teams have been just as successful on the field, court, course and in the pool with 10 teams earning national rankings in 2012-13. Both men’s golf and women’s water polo have held No. 1 rankings in their respective polls this year. CLU teams have claimed four Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) titles thus far with four teams and one athlete advancing to NCAA Championship play. The spring sports have much hope to increase those numbers with more than half of the teams in the hunt for a league title.

Beyond those two areas, CLU students have also taken time to give back. One example is the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) that is headed in 2012-13 by Lauren Rasmussen. She and the other SAAC members have put together a community service project in conjunction with DIII Week.

The group is scheduled to do a Ball and Old Sports Equipment Drive throughout the week of April 8-12. Items will be collected both at the Welcome Desk of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center during all hours of operation and in the Athletics Offices during operating business hours (9-5). Additionally, SAAC members will be stationed at the flagpole on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to collect items. All donations will be delivered to the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Conejo Valley.

“The biggest thing with this event is that it is something that the SAAC wants to turn into an annual event during DIII Week and we are really excited about it,” Rasmussen said. “The connection to athletics with equipment collection, plus the opportunity to give back to the community by donating items that student-athletes are involved with competitively every day is very rewarding.”

Student Life will be sponsoring a series of student giveaways at a variety of athletic events during Division III Week as well.

Cal Lutheran sunglasses will be given out at Men’s Tennis against No. 1 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Poulson Tennis Center to kick off the weekend. On Wednesday, April 10 the water polo team will host Caltech and rally towels will be handed out at the entrance to the Samuelson Aquatics Center. Women’s Tennis fans will have a chance to claim sunglasses on Friday, April 12 when the Regals host Occidental at 2:00 p.m. At Hutton Field softball will host Redlands where seat cushions will be available for student fans at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. in Ullman Stadium baseball fans can obtain a stadium cup as the Kingsmen host Whittier. Additionally, free Shave It coupons will be distributed to the first 250 students at any of the games.

Finally, the dining commons will be offering sports themed meals and snacks throughout the week, including a nacho bar, Dodger Dogs, peanuts and popcorn, BBQ Tri-Tip sandwiches and soft pretzels with cheese sauce.

“Excitement is beginning to be generated around Division III week on campus,” Director of Athletics Dan Kuntz shared. “We are looking forward to being a part of this unique campaign to promote Division III and the student-athletes we support year in and year out.”

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Division III members passed legislation at the NCAA convention last Saturday allowing private communication with recruits through social networking sites like Facebook.

Coaches have been limited to phone calls, text messages, faxes and emails.

"There are not a lot of phone conversations that go on anymore and I don't think some kids even know what a fax is," CLU athletic director Dan Kuntz said. "Students are living and communicating in social media and I think the schools and coaches realize that. The one concern was privacy and not being intruded upon, but students are pretty savvy. When they don't want to be contacted, they know how to say not now."

Kuntz and James McHugh, the special assistant to the president for athletic affairs at CLU, represented the university at the convention in Grapevine, Texas.

Division III members considered 13 legislative proposals during the convention business session.

Along with the social media proposal, another proposal adopted was requiring confirmation of sickle cell trait status for all student-athletes no later than the 2014-15 academic year, including mandatory confirmation of status for all incoming student-athletes in 2013-14.

People with sickle cell trait have been shown to be more vulnerable than those without the trait to heat stroke and muscle breakdown when subjected to strenuous exercise under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Athletes can opt out of having the test, but will have to receive education regarding sickle cell trait status.

Given the concerns about costs, logistics and how the proposal related to other medical issues, the vote was close (254-200-15).

Not much will change at CLU as the university already required athletes to have the sickle cell trait test.

"There were a lot of conversations around this issue, but in the end it's really about the well-being of the student," Kuntz said. "If there is something we can do to help the well-being of the student, our mindset at CLU is to always do it. Our first priority is always to take better care of our students."

Kuntz said a topic he expects to be discussed in the future is establishing boundaries at the Division III level, where there are no athletic scholarships.

"Being less intrusive on students and offering a better work-life balance for the staff is huge," Kuntz said. "Division III is intended to have more restrictions because the emphasis is to allow student-athletes to be students. They need opportunities to study abroad and not have coaches on them year-round. We need to allow them to have a well-rounded experience."

Kuntz was attending the NCAA convention for the eighth time and can't wait to go back next year when it comes to San Diego.

"I think it's all fascinating because I can learn so much," Kuntz said. "There are so many good things and different ways to think about things and talk about these social issues that are in sports."

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In her first season for the Regals, Gilbert quickly established herself as one of the top defenders in the SCIAC. Playing primarily on the back line, Gilbert was a part of a defense that allowed just four goals in 14 conference games in addition to recording 10 shut-outs. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native was also named First Team All-SCIAC in November.

Also named a Second Team All-America selection Tuesday, Will was named to the First Team All-West Region for the second consecutive year. Will led the SCIAC with 18 goals. The Santa Maria, Calif. native now has 37 career goals and has already recorded 10 multi-goal games. Not limited to just being a scorer, Will also has 11 assists through two seasons for CLU.

Armenta earns her second All-West Region honor in as many years. A 2011 First Team All-West Region selection, Armenta capped her two-year career with CLU in impressive fashion. The senior from Camarillo, Calif. scored three goals and one assist in 2012. The primary playmaker in the midfield for the Regals, Armenta led CLU to a third consecutive SCIAC regular season championship and its first NCAA Division III tournament win in over a decade.

Teaming up with Will, Virgen gave Cal Lutheran the top 1-2 offensive punch in the SCIAC. This is the first All-West Region honor for Virgen. The senior from Port Hueneme, Calif. finished with seven goals and seven assists in 2012. She was the only player in the conference to finish in the top six in both scoring and assists. Virgen concluded her career with 69 career starts and 25 goals while also being named First Team All-SCIAC in 2009 and Second Team in 2012.

The SCIAC was well represented on the All-Region teams. Chapman tied Cal Lutheran with four selections while Redlands finished with three. Pomona-Pitzer and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps each had two selections.

2012 NSCAA All-West Region Teams

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In just two years, Will has asserted herself as one of the top goal scorers in the country. A year after scoring 19 goals as a freshman, Will netted 18 this year. The Santa Maria, Calif. native was her strongest down the stretch, scoring all of CLU’s four goals this postseason. Her two goal performance against Wartburg (Iowa) in the first round of NCAA Division III tournament gave Cal Lutheran its first post season win in more than a decade.

The 2012 SCIAC Women’s Soccer Athlete of the Year scored 10 goals in 14 conference games while also recording three assists as a part of Cal Lutheran team that won 24 consecutive league matches. CLU went 13-1 in the SCIAC during the regular season en route to winning their third consecutive league championship.

After two seasons, Will is already tenth all-time at CLU with 37 career goals. She also becomes the second Regal to be named All-America in the past three years. Sinead Vaughn was selected to the Third Team in 2011 and 2010.

Chapman midfielder Valarie Sobol, a Third Team Selection, was the only other player chosen from the SCIAC.

Release: 2012 Division III Women's All-America Teams
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“I am extremely proud of our student-athletes for their excellence on the field and in the classroom,” Head Coach Frank Marino said.”

 “This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve received this award and we have increased our team GPA each of the past three years.”

The women’s soccer team’s average GPA in 2011-12 was 3.38.

On the field, CLU finished with their season with their third straight SCIAC regular season championship and received an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament where they upset host Wartburg (Iowa) in the first round before falling to Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) 3-2 in the second.

Marino finished with, “I couldn’t be more proud of our team and their continued growth in multiple facets.”

“One of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen in a soccer game,” coach Frank Marino said.

Down 2-1 just before halftime, Taylor Will played a perfect pass through two defenders to Mayra Virgen. Virgen then narrowly sent a pass across the goal to Kristina Hulse, who flicked it just past the Cobber goalkeeper for what looked like the game-tying goal.

The players jogged back and Concordia-Moorhead began to set up for following the kickoff.

However, just before play restarted, the side-judge called over the main official and eventually the two other officials. After a lengthy discussion, the goal was nullified as the official stated Hulse was in front of the two defenders when Virgen sent the pass in, making her offside.

“I think that call really took the wind out of our sails,” Marino said.

“We had played hard up to that point and we finally had the tying goal. It’s just really hard to our girls’ season end on something like that.”

Cal Lutheran had fallen behind early, allowing a goal 35 seconds into the game.

“I thought the elements really affected us getting started tonight. You could definitely tell which team had played in southern California all season and which had played in Minnesota,” the head coach said.

“But that early goal didn’t faze us and I was proud of the way we came back.”

However, Concordia-Moorhead would respond with one of Sarah Rounds’ three goals on the day, this one coming in the 21^st minute and giving the Cobbers their second lead of the game at 2-1.

With Hulse’s goal being discarded, the 2-1 score held going into halftime.

Rounds would come through again in the 60^th minute for the Cobbers notching her third goal of the game as she finessed a goal into the bottom right corner of the goal and giving Concordia-Moorhead a 3-1 advantage.

CLU would frantically try to claw back into the match firing off seven shots before finally breaking through when Will was taken down in the penalty box setting up a penalty-kick. The SCIAC’s leading scorer converted the PK as the sophomore scored her fourth goal in just two post-season games.

Unfortunately, it was too little too late as Concordia-Moorhead held on for the victory and advanced to the Sweet-Sixteen.

Despite the outcome, coach Marino gushed about the 2012 team, “A lot of people thought we’d have a down year this year or not have as good of results as we’ve had the past few years, but look, we won 18 games and made it into the second round of the NCAA tournament.”

“This team should be very proud of its season and I am very proud of them.”

With her four goals in her past two games, Will upped her season total to 18.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Bailey came up with four saves.

Seniors Kirsten DiPippo, Lindsay Armenta, Dani Granholm, Kristin Cameron, Mayra Virgen and Nicole Rains were a part of a class that won 69 games including three straight SCIAC regular season championships and NCAA playoff appearances while losing just two SCIAC games in their final three years.

Box Score: CCM 3 CLU 2

Will, the SCIAC Athlete of the Year, found the back of the net early, giving the Violet and Gold an early 1-0 lead in the 15^th minute when she found the top right corner of the net on an assist from Bailey Marquez.

Wartburg would even the score just before halftime when Anna Aquino scored an unassisted goal that found the top left corner of the cage.

After the break it was a scoreless battle until Will took the ball on her own and scored to break the knotted score in the 79^th minute.

The CLU defensive unit of Mallory Carcich, Kirsten DiPippo, Anna Medler and Stephanie Gilbert kept the Knights out of CLU territory and more importantly off the board for the remaining 11 minutes to lock up the victory.

CLU outshot Wartburg 17 to three with 10 on target. The Regals also earned more corker kicks, five, than Wartburg, four. Will finished with seven shots, five on goal while Kristina Hulse tallied three, all on target.

CLU goalkeeper Kristin Bailey recorded one save in 90 minutes of action.

Cal Lutheran (18-4) will play tomorrow evening against Concordia-Moorhead (16-3-2) at 3:00 p.m. PST. The Cobbers defeated Lake Forest 2-1 in the first round one game at Wartburg today.

Box Score: CLU 2, WART 1
Live Video: Watch Live
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Roesel wants to face as many potential NCAA Tournament teams as possible to prepare the Regals for the challenges ahead.

The philosophy should pay dividends this week when No. 8 CLU participates in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships.

The NCAA pairings were released Monday morning, and CLU was selected to host a regional for the second straight year.

Cal Lutheran's eight-team regional includes No. 19 Colorado College, Hardin-Simmons (Texas), Southwestern (Texas), No. 25 La Verne, No. 22 Chapman, No. 13 Puget Sound (Wash.) and No. 14 Pacific Lutheran (Wash.).

The Regals have already faced five of the other seven teams this season, going 7-1 against them.

The only two teams CLU hasn't played are Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran.

Cal Lutheran (27-4) opens play against Southwestern (20-15) at 8 p.m. Friday in Gilbert Arena. The Regals swept Southwestern at the Trinity Tournament in September.

If CLU wins, it will play Saturday against the winner of the match between Hardin-Simmons and La Verne. The regional final will be played on Sunday at noon.

"We always want to play the best teams we can in the preseason to test ourselves early with the hope that in the playoffs those teams are in the hunt too," Roesel said. "We are fortunate to have played most of the teams in our regional this year, so we have an idea of what to expect. But at this point, we realize it's a brand new season and everybody comes in with a clean slate."

After hosting an NCAA regional the last two years, the CLU women's soccer team will begin its tournament run on the road.

CLU (17-4) earned an at-large berth when the pairings were announced Monday. The Regals will play host Wartburg (12-4-3) in Waverly, Iowa, at 3 p.m. PST Friday.

The other first-round game in the bracket is Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) against Lake Forest (Ill.). The winners will meet Saturday at 3 p.m. PST.

The road might provide better luck for the Regals. They have been upset in their opening NCAA matches at home the last two seasons.

"I think it will be good for us to get away and focus," CLU women's soccer coach Frank Marino said. "Obviously, once you are in the tournament, all the games are tough, but it should be a good experience."

CLU captured its third straight SCIAC regular-season women's soccer title, but lost in the first round of the SCIAC tournament in overtime last Wednesday.

"This is a second chance for us to make amends for screwing up," Marino said. "It's an opportunity to make up for the poor showing last week, and I think the girls are ready for it."

The CLU volleyball team followed its third straight SCIAC regular-season title with a SCIAC tournament title to clinch the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

The only question left to be answered Monday was if CLU would be selected as a host site again.

Last year, CLU rode its home-court advantage to the Elite Eight before being swept by Wittenberg in St. Louis.

"It's exciting to have another opportunity to host. I have a ton of confidence in our support staff and our administrative staff, and I would guess the national committee does too because they decided to have it here again," Roesel said. "We evidently put on a first-rate event and they saw that. The plan is to continue to do that as many years as we can with such a great facility and location."

Sophomore forward Taylor Will was named the 2012 SCIAC Player of the Year after tallying a conference-high 14 goals this season. The Santa Maria, Calif. native earned the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2011 after netting 19 goals. With 33 goals for her career, Will is already ninth all-time for goals scored at CLU.

Gilbert, a junior defender, was named to the First Team All-SCIAC after helping produce a school-record 13 shut-outs this season. Gilbert started all 21 games for a defense that led the SCIAC in goals allowed with just .59 per game.

Arment, a senior midfielder, was named First Team All-SCIAC for the second year in a row after tallying three goals in 2012, including two game-winners. The midfielder was CLU’s primary play-maker in the midfield, helping CLU have the top scoring offense in the SCIAC.

Virgen, a senior midfielder, was named Second Team All-SCIAC after matching a career-high in goals with seven while also assisting on seven other goals during 2012. Virgen was one of only player two players in the conference to be in the top six for both goals scored and assists. The Port Hueneme, Calif. was also an First Team All-SCIAC selection in 2009.

Hulse, a junior forward, was named to the Second Team All-SCIAC for the second time in her career. The Palmdale, Calif. native finished the year with five goals and two assists. With 23 goals and 14 assists for her career, Hulse needs just five goals and one assist to move into the CLU Career Top Ten for both categories.

Newcomers Abdelkerim and Eremita received Second Team All-SCIAC recognition in their first year of competing for the Regals. Abdelkerim started all 21 games in her first season for CLU, en route to scoring two goals and recording three assists in 2012. Eremita was used both as a starter and as a key spark off the bench this season, scoring one goal in addition to running the offense from the midfield.

Chapman, the winner of the 2012 SCIAC Post Season Tournament, placed with five on the All-SCIAC teama.

Redlands forward Savannah Laursen was named the Newcomer of the Year and Occidental senior Whitney Roline earned the Brine Award of Distinction.

Despite falling in the semifinal of the SCIAC Post Season Tournament, Cal Lutheran (17-4) earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. CLU will travel to Waverly, Iowa to take on host Wartburg College on Saturday, Nov. 10 in the first round. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PST. The game will be streamed live. Watch it here.

Forty-three conferences were awarded automatic qualification for the 2012 championship. One team was selected from Pool B, which consists of independent institutions, and institutions that are members of conferences that do not meet the requirements for automatic qualification. The final 20 berths were reserved for Pool C, which are institutions from automatic-qualifying conferences that are not the conference champion and any remaining Pool B teams.

Sixteen four-team sites will conduct first- and second-round play on the first weekend of the championship, Nov. 9-10 or 10-11. 

Cal Lutheran (17-4) will travel to Waverly, Iowa where they will meet host Wartburg (12-4-3) on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. PST. The other first round match-up in the bracket will pit Concordia-Moorhead (15-3-2) against Lake Forest (14-5-1) at 3:00 p.m. PST.

The Regals claimed their third consecutive SCIAC title with a 13-1 league mark this year. CLU will be appearing in their third straight NCAA Tournament and 12^th in school history.

Wartburg, who also earned an at-large bid, will be making their fourth overall and third consecutive NCAA appearance this year. The Knights will be representing the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC).

No. 15 Concordia-Moorhead earned the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (MIAC) automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament on Saturday.

Lake Forest earned their way into the NCAA Post Season by winning the Midwest Conference Tournament after earning a regular season title with an 8-1-1 record.

The two winners of first-round games will face off at 3:00 p.m. PST on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Second-round winners will advance to one of four sectional sites Nov. 16-17 or 17-18.  All games, except the semifinals and final, will be played on the campuses of competing institutions. Winners of the four sectionals will advance to the semifinals Nov. 30-Dec. 1, at Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Tex.

NCAA Regional: Bracket

Despite the exciting finish, things got off to a sluggish start as both teams struggled to get their offenses going and combined for just three shots in the first half.

Cal Lutheran midfielder Bailey Marquez had the only shot of the first half for the Regals in the 20^th minute when she collected a pass from just outside the box and fired a shot that went just high.

Pomona-Pitzer had a chance in the 34^th minute when Sarah Ach fired a shot on goal but a crowd of CLU defenders in front, deflected the ball away.

Later in the half, Sagehen midfielder Amanda Coba had a shot sail wide as the first half clock expired and the teams remained at 0-0.

Cal Lutheran wasted little time getting started in the second half when in the 47^th minute, Mayra Virgen out ran a Sagehens defender and found a trailing Nicole Rains, who took one dribble and laced a shot in to the back of the net to put CLU on top 1-0.

Pomona-Pitzer broke through in the 66^th minute when Claire Mueller sent in a cross and Sam Thompson made the initial contact with a header that deflected off the post. Julie Dohner was there for the rebound and headed it in to the goal, tying the score at 1-1.

Cal Lutheran had a great scoring chance in the 77^th minute when Taylor Will perfectly headed a through-ball to wide-open Virgen. The senior forward then took a dribble before her shot narrowly deflected off the post.

The Regals nearly scored again when Kirsten DiPippo played in a corner-kick that found Lindsay Armenta, but the midfeilder’s header sailed over the cross bar.

Neither team had many chances in the last ten minutes and regulation ended in a 1-1 tie.

In the 94rd minute what looked like a routine save, ended poorly for the Regals. Dohner kicked a slow rolling shot on goal that goalkeeper Kristin Bailey initially looked as though she had the save, but the slick ball escaped her grasp and rolled into the back of the net giving the Sagehens their golden-goal as Pomona-Pitzer defeated Cal Lutheran 2-1 in overtime.

With the win Pomona-Pitzer improves to 9-6-2 and advances to the SCIAC finals Saturday against Chapman. Cal Lutheran falls to 17-4 and will now await the NCAA selection show on Nov. 5 in hopes of earning an at-large bid.

Box Score: PP 2 CLU 1 (OT)

Campus Map: CLU Campus
Visitor Information: Thousand Oaks Campus

Women’s Soccer
Cal Lutheran (13-1) will host Pomona-Pitzer (7-5-2) in one of two semifinal games on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The teams will take the field at 7:00 p.m. A complete release of the event can be found here.

Tickets will be sold at the entrance to Rolland Stadium. Children under the age of 12, current students, faculty and staff with ID receive FREE entry. Admission for all others is $5 per day. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. Short and long sleeved t-shirts will be available for $15 and $20, respectively.

Volleyball
Cal Lutheran (15-1) will host a four-team tournament. Chapman (12-2) and La Verne (13-3) will face off at 5:00 p.m. at the Gilbert Arena before Cal Lutheran hosts Occidental (9-5) at 7:30 p.m. Three of the four competing teams are ranked nationally with CLU at No. 8, Chapman ranked No. 22 and ULV breaking into the standing for the first time since 2009 at the No. 25 spot in the most recent poll. A complete release of the event can be found here.

Tickets will be sold at the entrance to the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center. Children under the age of 12, current students, faculty and staff with ID receive FREE entry. Admission for all others is $5 per day. Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. Short and long sleeved t-shirts will be available for $15 and $20, respectively.

At both events, the winner advances to the Championship match on Saturday at place and time to be determined by the host.

No. 1 Cal Lutheran (13-1) earned the right to host No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer (7-5-2) by winning the SCIAC title outright. The Regals were undefeated through 12 games before Chapman tarnished their opportunity to run the table last week.

Earlier this season CLU defeated PP by a 2-0 margin on the road before earning a 2-1 victory at home. The first of two first half goals on the road came from Nicole Rains off a corner kick from Kristin Cameron. Kristen Bailey then sent the ball down field where Bailey Marquez flicked it to Carmen Wheeler who scored the second of the game for CLU.

Game two saw Taylor Will score on a pass from Mayra Virgen before Virgen netted the game-winner on a cross from Kristina Hulse.

CLU has been led this year by Will who has 10 goals and three assists in league play. Five of her goals have been game winners for the Regals. Virgen has six goals and five assists with a trio of game winners this season.

Bailey has been a rock in front of the CLU goal this fall allowing just four goals in 1035 minutes of action. She has saved 33 shots for the Regals and has nine solo shutouts with one combined shutout.

For the Sagehens, Allie Tao has scored a team-high six goals adding an assist. Three of those were game winners for Pomona-Pitzer. Sam Thompson has netted three goals with a pair of assists for the Hens.

Helena Epps has started eight of the 14 league games and has saved 21 shots. Annie Wedel earned the start in the other six contests, tallying 20 saves in just over 450 minutes. They have allowed five and seven goals, respectively.

The other semifinal game will take place at Chapman (9-5) as the Panthers host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (9-5). CU and CMS split their season series with each team earning victories on the road. In the first meeting CMS won 3-2 before the Panthers defeated the Athenas 3-1 in the final meeting of the regular season.

Saturday the final two teams will play the SCIAC Post Season Championship game at the site of the highest remaining seed. Time is to be determined by the host and will be announced following the completion of Wednesday evening games.

Visitor Information: Thousand Oaks Campus
Campus Map: CLU Campus

Tickets and t-shirts will be sold at the entrance to Rolland Stadium. Children under the age of 12, current students, faculty and staff with ID receive free admittance. Admission for all others is $5 per day. T-shirts will be sold for $15 (short sleeves) and $20 (long sleeves). Gates will open at 6:00 p.m.

The winner of the SCIAC Tournament will earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament set for Nov. 10-11.

The Regals are on quite a roll.

But it's not just one group of Regals.

The description fits both the Cal Lutheran women's volleyball and women's soccer teams.

The programs have been charting a similar path of domination in the SCIAC over the last few years.

Volleyball coach Kellee Roesel and soccer coach Frank Marino often walk around the corner to each other's offices to share philosophies and motivational tips.

"I have a ton of respect for Frank and I love soccer," Roesel said. "Those soccer girls are just my type of kids. They are hard-nosed and get after it. I am thrilled that they are right there with us."

Both programs have turned their full attention to the postseason.

The winner of each SCIAC tournament earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

The eighth-ranked volleyball team will host the SCIAC tournament at Gilbert Arena on Thursday night.

Top-seeded CLU (25-4, 15-1) plays No. 4 Occidental at 7:30 p.m. while Chapman plays La Verne at 5. The winners will meet on Saturday night.

The 22nd-ranked soccer team begins the SCIAC Tournament on Wednesday night by hosting No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer at 7 p.m.

If the Regals (17-3, 13-1) win, they would host the winner of the game between No. 2 Chapman and No. 4 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Saturday afternoon.

Although Marino hopes CLU would make the NCAA Tournament regardless of the SCIAC Tournament outcome, he would prefer not to leave the team's fate to a selection committee.

"The only thing you can control is the automatic qualifier, so you want to get that just to be safe," Marino said. "That is really the most important thing, and our team knows that."

Bolstered by a defense that has recorded 13 shutouts, the Regals have exceeded Marino's expectations this season.

"I thought it would be a little bit more of a difficult year with a lot of new faces. We graduated a lot of good players the last few years and we didn't know how the chemistry would be right away," Marino said. "But we have really grown and continued to play well together. It's been a good step in the right direction and now we have to carry this over."

The volleyball team weathered an early blow when senior setter Jackie Russell was lost for the season with a broken ring finger. Russell has decided to make a medical redshirt and return to the team next season.

"I have a bunch of kids who are just so competitive and we train them to deal with these type of adversities," said Roesel, who is two victories away from tying James Park for the most coaching wins in program history. "I talk to every recruit and tell them don't come to Cal Lutheran if they are not ready to fight every single day. You have to be ultra-competitive."

The next challenge is the postseason, and it's one the CLU programs want to continue experiencing for many more years to come.

"I feel great about it and the kids are feeling good," Roesel sad. "If we can get a couple of good days rest and a few good days of practice, we will be ready to rock and roll."

The goal was remarkable in itself considering that less than five minutes earlier Virgen laid on the turf in agony after landing awkwardly following a shot. But Virgen showed her grit and waved off the trainers and remained in the game. Saturday night’s goal marked Virgen’s seventh goal of the season, tying a career-high.

The first half was a defensive struggle as CLU was unable to get any offensive rhythm. CMS earned three corner-kicks but Stephanie Gilbert led a CLU defense that held strong and kept a clean sheet going into half time.

The second half unfolded much like the Regals last game against Chapman on Wednesday, where they fired off 26 shots but were unable to come up with a goal, being upset by the Panthers.

CLU had 16 shots in the second half alone but CMS goalkeeper Molly Freed was outstanding, coming up with save after save.

Finally, in the 83^rd minute, Taylor Will tried to collect a pass in the right corner of the box but was unable to. Luckily for CLU, the ball caromed right to Virgen, who took one dribble and fired a low-curving, cross-goal shot that found the back of net and gave the Regals the lead.

CLU’s defense of Gilbert, Anna Medler, Kirsten DiPippo, and Mallory Carcich were able to shut the door on any further Athenas attacks and CLU escaped with the 1-0 win.

With the conclusion of Saturday night’s game, the SCIAC Post Season Tournament participants are set. Cal Lutheran, the No. 1 seed will host No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer and No. 2 seeded Chapman, will host No. 3 CMS on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m.

Cal Lutheran also honored six seniors before Saturday night’s game, including DiPippo, Virgen, Lindsay Armenta, Kristin Cameron, Dani Granholm and Nicole Rains.

Box Score: CLU 1 CMS 0

The loss also meant CLU’s current ten-game winning streak was undone in the process as the Regals fell to 16-3 overall and 12-1 in the SCIAC. Chapman improves to 14-5 overall and 8-5 in the SCIAC.

Chapman got on the board early after Val Sabol scored in the 11^th minute.

Sophomore forward Taylor Will fired off 14 shots but none of them found the back of the net. The Regals would out-shoot the Panthers 26 to 10 but Chapman goalkeeper Melissa Fehrman came up with eight crucial saves.

The Regals were also unable to capitalize on any corner-kicks, where they earned ten while only conceding one to Chapman.

Chapman was able to fend off a flurry of Regal shots in the waning minutes and hold on for the win.

With only one game remaining in the regular season, the post-season seeding for the tournament is beginning to shape up. Cal Lutheran has already clinched the regular season championship and the one-seed regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

CMS, currently second in the standings, can clinch second-place tonight with a win over Whittier since they hold the tie-breaker over Chapman.

After tonight’s win Chapman has assured itself a post-season spot. Chapman can vault into second-place if CMS drops their next two games.

Pomona-Pitzer leap-frogged Redlands in the standings earlier this afternoon after they defeated the Bulldogs 1-0. The two teams have identical records but Pomona-Pitzer now holds the tie-breaker. A win against La Verne Saturday clinches the fourth-seed for the Sagehens.

Redlands would need to beat Whittier this Saturday and hope for a Pomona-Pitzer loss to get back into the playoff mix.

Cal Lutheran fans can catch the last regular season game for CLU women’s soccer this Saturday Oct. 27, at 7:00 p.m. in Rolland Stadium. Prior to the start of the game, Cal Lutheran will honor its six seniors as a part of Senior Day recognition.

Box Score: CU 1 CLU 0

But Mayra Virgen managed to break his concentration five years ago.(view photos)

Yepez spotted Virgen across the field when she arrived to train with his club team, and he was immediately smitten with his fellow striker.

"I had never seen Mayra before in my life, so the first time I saw her I was like, 'Who is she? I need to meet her,' " Yepez said. "I guess it was love at first sight."

Yepez began a pursuit that lasted nearly a year, and his patience was rewarded when the two officially became a couple in 2008.

After enduring an unthinkable tragedy at the start of their relationship, the Cal Lutheran seniors have remained together.

The two will each be honored at their team's Senior Night this week, and are on track to become the first in their families to earn a college degree.

"It's really funny how everything worked out," Virgen said. "Soccer is what brought us together because we have loved playing it since we were small. But we discovered we had so many other things in common as well, and both had bigger goals for our lives. I was really lucky to find him."

Yepez was a first-team All-Pacific View League star at Pacifica High while Virgen was earning the same honors at Hueneme High.

They started dating just before their senior year in high school, and only a few months later their relationship was put to the test.

In December 2008, Virgen's mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident a block away from Yepez's house.

Virgen's family had just picked her up from a visit when a suspected burglar ran a red light while fleeing from the scene of a vehicle break-in.

He broadsided the family's pickup truck, causing it to flip multiple times.

As he was walking back into his house, Yepez heard a loud boom and saw the truck flip.

He ran to get his brothers and then sprinted to the scene. He would soon discover Virgen's mother had died.

"At the beginning, I thought it was my fault because they came to my house when it happened," Yepez said. "But my parents told me it wasn't my fault and maybe it was meant to happen this way. My parents told me to take care of Mayra because she needs you right now, and that is what I did."

Rather than pull the two apart, the accident brought them even closer together.

"He was there to support me at an important time in my life, and I don't know where I would have ended up without him," Virgen said. "I had my ups and downs struggling with the accident, and I know it affected him a lot too. I think there was a reason for him to enter my life just before my mom died."

Despite their close relationship, Yepez and Virgen were not a package deal at CLU.

In fact, both weren't even planning to attend the university until the last minute.

After a few of his college options fell through, Yepez made a recruiting trip a week before the deadline to enroll.

Yepez was talking with CLU men's head coach Dan Kuntz when CLU women's coach Frank Marino entered the office.

Marino told Yepez he wanted to contact a girl from the Oxnard area whose mother had died. He asked Yepez if he knew her.

"It was like it was meant to be," Yepez said. "I called Mayra and told her I had a surprise for her. The coach from Cal Lutheran wants her to play for them. I think it happened for a reason."

Yepez had opportunities to play professionally in Mexico, but decided to remain in the United States to pursue his education.

"The chances of making it at that level are really hard, and I knew having a diploma would be something that would help me forever," Yepez said. "I have seen a few friends from Oxnard take a year off from school to play soccer, and what ends up happening is they never go back. I wanted to change that."

Yepez and Virgen have lived at home with their families while commuting to CLU the last four years.

Yepez is majoring in accounting and Virgen is majoring in biology. She wants to become a nurse.

"I have always wanted to go into the medical field," she said. "I want to be able to work hard and get a good job for my future. I know my mom wanted me to go to school and stay on the right path."

Becoming the first in their families to earn college degrees is something Yepez and Virgen take great pride in achieving.

"It is a privilege," Yepez said. "I want to be a role model for my youngest brother. I want him to follow in my footsteps. He is a senior right now in high school and I am helping him write to universities to make sure he goes to a good college."

Although Yepez and Virgen have talked about marriage, the 21-year-olds are in no hurry.

After all they have been through, they just value each day they can spend together.

"Our priority now is to finish school and then get jobs," Yepez said. "After that, we'll see what life gives us. But I see myself with her for the rest of my life."

Playing to a 0-0 tie through much of the first half, the SCIAC’s leading goal-scorer Taylor Will, finally broke through when she put home her 14^th goal of the season just a minute before half time.

CLU would waste little time getting restarted in the second half as Lindsey Armenta put her second goal in as many games away in the first minute of the second period.

Kristina Husle would tack on her fifth goal of the season in the 80^th minute to put CLU up 3-0 and conclude the game’s scoring.

Goalkeeper Kristin Bailey and her defensive mates of Anna Medler, Kristen DiPippo, Stephanie Gilbert, and Mallory Carcich etched their names into CLU women’s soccer history as they combined for the 12^th shut-out of the season breaking the 21 year-old school record for most shut-outs in a single season. The old record was held Joanne Vanderwall and her defensive teammates back in 1991.

The Regals regular-season three-peat is the first time Cal Lutheran has accomplished that feat since 1998-2000, when CLU was on the tail end of winning an unprecedented 11-straight SCIAC championships.

Cal Lutheran will be in action next Wednesday, Oct. 24, when they close out their road schedule, traveling to Orange, Calif. to take on Chapman. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 3 WC 0

Bailey’s save not only helped CLU stay undefeated in SCIAC play but also gave the sophomore her 11^th shut-out of the year which ties a school record for a single season.

“Our defense has been really strong as unit this season,” Bailey said. “[The defenders] deserve the credit. We wouldn’t have as many shut-outs without them back there.

“We all work really well together and tonight that showed,” Bailey said.

In the early stages of the first half, it looked as if it would be a banner-night for the CLU offense, who fired off five shots in the game’s first seven minutes.

Cal Lutheran threatened first when Kristen DiPippo sent a through ball in the seventh minute over an Oxy defender’s head to an oncoming Kristina Hulse. Hulse was able to win the foot race to the ball and chipped it over the Oxy goalkeeper for what looked like the first goal of the game but Oxy defender Kelsey Hung saved the goal, making a sliding kick to clear the ball away for a CLU corner kick.

CLU would on that corner-kick when DiPippo found Lindsey Armenta, who headed it past the Oxy goalkeeper and into the net for the game’s only goal.

The Regals nearly had two more goals in the 23^rd minute when Taylor Will played Bailey Marquez through on a diagonal run with Marquez firing on goal but Oxy goalkeeper Tayler Renshaw came through with a clutch deflection. Mayra Virgen chased down the deflection and sent a cross-field pass to Hulse, who took two dribbles and she fired a left-foot shot that ricocheted off the far post and out of play.

The 1-0 score would stand for the rest of the first half.

The first fireworks of the second half started in the 54th minute when Virgen muscled her way just past an Oxy defender to flick a cross to Nicole Rains. Rains collected the ball in front of a wide-open goal but sent her shot over the cross bar for an unlucky finish.

CLU would be on the unlucky side of things again when only one minute later, Mallory Carcich sent a cross the back of the box that found Stephanie Gilbert, who headed a shot that just sailed over the cross bar.

In the 73^rd minute, Melissa Abdelkerim won a 50-50 ball with an Oxy defender and threaded in a pass to Virgen, who sent a shot on that sailed just wide.

CLU and Occidental would play to a deadlock until the 88^th minute when Bailey made the play of the game. Oxy defender Grace Bender corraled a corner-kick from just outside the box, took one on dribble and fired a shot that seemed destined for the top of the net but Bailey was able to get a fist on it at the last second to deflect over the net.

“Honestly, I just saw [the ball] going over my head and knew that I couldn’t catch it,” Bailey remarked. “So I just hoped I could tip it over … I guess it worked.”

The Regals were able to clear out the following cross as time ran out and give CLU their eight-straight victory.

Cal Lutheran outshot Occidental 19 to seven. The Regal defense allowed just two shots in the second half.

Bailey and her defensive mates of DiPippo, Gilbert, Carcich, Jenna Malinowski and Anna Medler have now just allowed two goals in their last 10 games.

With the win, Cal Lutheran improves to 15-2 overall and 11-0 SCIAC. Occidental falls to 4-9 overall and 3-8 in the SCIAC. Tonight’s victory for CLU also means the Regals have clinched at least a share of the SCIAC regular season championship. This marks the program’s third consecutive conference championship.

Cal Lutheran returns to action this Saturday Oct. 20, when they travel to Whittier College to take on the Poets. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 1 Occidental 0