| No. 3 seed Cal Poly 2, No. 2 seed UC Davis 1 |
Box Score | CP Presser | UCD Presser
FULLERTON, Calif. — In a highly anticipated clash at Titan Stadium during the 2023 Big West Championship Semifinals, No. 3 Cal Poly (10-7-3) and No. 2 UC Davis (10-6-2) faced off in a thrilling contest on the campus of Cal State Fullerton at Titan Stadium.
In the 27th minute, Cal Poly forward Emily Nedom scored a crucial goal, the sophomore's third of the season. The goal was assisted by freshman defender Siena Urzua and freshman midfielder Sophia Moness.
Just two minutes later, UC Davis responded with a goal of their own. Junior defender Bella Mayo found the back of the net, opening her account for the season, and leveling the score.
The first half ended with both teams locked in a 1-1 tie, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. As the second half progressed, the intensity on the field remained at a defensive stalemate with both sides searching for that critical breakthrough.
The game's decisive moment came in the 80th minute. Cal Poly forward/midfielder Jessie Halladay converted a crucial penalty kick, securing the 2-1 victory for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs clinched a spot in their first Big West championship since 2021.
| No. 5 seed UC Irvine 1, No. 1 seed Cal State Fullerton 0 |
Box Score | UCI Presser | CSUF Presser
FULLERTON, Calif. — No. 5 seed UC Irvine's (9-7-5)
dominating defense held top-seeded
Cal State Fullerton (8-5-7) scoreless to advance to the final of the 2023 Big West Championship.
In the 48th minute, the Anteaters made a decisive breakthrough when redshirt senior forward
Erin Covey netted the game-winner, the forward's third tally of the season, following an excellent assist from junior midfielder/forward
Tati Fung.
The match concluded with UC Irvine securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the top-ranked Cal State Fullerton.
UC Irvine celebrated the thrilling victory and advanced to the Big West Championship Final, where it has the opportunity to secure its third straight championship title against No. 3 seed Cal Poly.
Graduate goalkeeper Glo Hinojosa notched a single save in the postseason win while Big West goalkeeper of the year redshirt sophomore Mia Ranson stopped three shots in the setback.
The 2023 Big West Women's Soccer Championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m., airing on ESPN+