Conference

Box Score

TURLOCK, Calif. – Behind a hat trick from junior midfielder Liz Franco and a strong defensive performance, Cal State L.A. defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills 4-0 to capture the 2009 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer Championship Sunday at Warrior Stadium in Turlock.

The victory marked the first CCAA title for Cal State L.A. (17-2-2), which earns the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. The 32-team field will be announced on Monday.

Cal State Dominguez Hills (13-8-1), ranked third in the West Region, is expected to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

From the outset, Cal State L.A. took command of the match as it was able to possess the ball the majority of the time and played in Cal State Dominguez Hills’ end of the field.

The Golden Eagles received the first break of the contest when Ann Marie Tangorra was fouled in the box and Liz Franco converted a penalty kick that gave the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead at the 28:38 mark.

Cal State L.A. held a 1-0 halftime lead as it out-shot Cal State Dominguez Hills, 10-4, including a 3-0 edge in shots-on-goal.

Franco, the CCAA’s regular-season Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year, made it 2-0 when she received a cross from Jasmin Stuemper and slipped a shot into the far left corner of the goal from the top right of the box at the 49:49 mark.

The Cal State L.A. junior completed the hat trick when she took a loose ball in front of the net following a shot from Gabbi Segall and scored at the 68:15 mark.

The Golden Eagles’ final score came in the 74th minute when Franco and Tangorra were credited with an assist following a goal from junior Alex Conley.

Cal State L.A. held a final 22-6 advantage in shots, including 10-1 in shots-on-goal.

Franco was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player while teammate Caroline Hanna was selected Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

2009 CCAA All-Tournament Team
Sara Steele (Chico State)
Jessica Wi (UC San Diego)
Kelly Melanson (Cal State L.A.)
Jessie Walworth (Cal State L.A.)
Brooke Thompson (Cal State Dominguez Hills)
Jasmin Tuemper (Cal State L.A.)
Paige Peel (Cal State L.A.)
Amanda Matthews (Cal State L.A.)
Ann Marie Tangorra (Cal State L.A.)
Caroline Hanna (Cal State L.A.) (Most Outstanding Defensive Player)
Liz Franco (Cal State L.A.) (Most Outstanding Offensive Player)