IRVINE, Calif. – The field and seeds for the 2023 Big West Women’s Soccer Championship were finalized following Thursday night’s five matches to conclude the regular-season schedule.
The postseason picture includes six teams with the top two seeds enjoying first-round byes. Those two sides are No. 1 seed and regular-season champion Cal State Fullerton (8-4-7, 6-1-3 Big West, 21 points), and second-seeded UC Davis (10-6-2, 6-2-2 BW, 20 points). The Titans also earned the right to serve as hosts for the semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 2, and the championship match on Sunday, Nov. 5.
During matches that ended almost simultaneously on Thursday, Cal State Fullerton’s 4-0 triumph in Bakersfield allowed the Titans to outright earn the Big West regular-season crown. UC Davis clinched the second seed after downing UC Irvine, 1-0 on the road. The Titans and Aggies began the final day in second and third place in the table with 19 points and 17 points apiece and in control of their own destinies in terms of the league trophy and first-round byes.
Cal Poly (8-7-3, 6-3-1 BW, 19 points) enters the postseason as the No. 3 seed after a late-goal stunner by UC San Diego handed the Mustangs loss and slipped the 2022 regular-season champions to third in the standings. Long Beach State (10-6-3, 5-3-2 BW, 17 points) is the No. 4 seed following a 4-2 victory versus Hawai’i during decision day. Defending conference champion UC Irvine (6-7-5, 3-3-4 BW, 13 points) is the No. 5 seed. Hawai’i (5-7-3, 4-5-1 BW, 13 points) locked up the final spot and is making its first appearance in the Big West Championship since 2019.
With the seeding set, first-round action this Sunday, Oct. 29, features third-seeded Cal Poly at home against sixth-seeded Hawaii at 2 p.m., and No. 5 seed UC Irvine at No. 4 seed Long Beach State at 6 p.m.
During the regular season, The Mustangs scored a pair of tallies just 32 seconds apart in the 85th minute to complete a comeback bid on the road versus Hawai’i on Oct 22. This time, the Mustangs play host to the Rainbow Wahine. The last time the Beach and Anteaters squared off on Sept. 14, neither side could break away, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
The two advancing squads will join Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis in Fullerton next week.
Start times for the semifinals at Titan Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The final is slated for kickoff on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m.
The Big West champion once again earns automatic entry into the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship. The 64-team field for that event will be unveiled live on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 6, with a TBD start time.
2023 BIG WEST WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Sunday, Oct. 29 | higher seeds host
2 p.m. | No. 6 seed Hawai'i at No. 3 seed Cal Poly
6 p.m. | No. 5 seed UC Irvine at No. 4 seed Long Beach State
Semifinals - Thursday, Nov. 2 | Titan Stadium | Fullerton, Calif.
4:30 p.m. | No. 3/6 winner vs. No. 2 seed UC Davis
7:30 p.m. | No. 4/5 winner at No. 1 seed Cal State Fullerton
Final - Sunday, Nov. 5 | Titan Stadium | Fullerton, Calif.
1 p.m. | Championship Match