ATHERTON, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay women's soccer team punched its ticket to the CCAA Tournament with a 2-0 shutout victory over Menlo College on Thursday morning at Wunderlich Field, securing a postseason berth while matching the program's NCAA Division II-era single-season record of eight wins.
The Otters improved to 8-2-7 overall and 6-2-5 in CCAA play, finishing the regular season unbeaten in their final 11 contests with a 6-0-5 record during that stretch.
After a scoreless opening half, Monterey Bay wasted little time taking control of the match, scoring twice in the opening six minutes of the second period.
Juliana Dow broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, collecting a long ball from midfield and finishing into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Naomi Tobias and
Miye Kodama were credited with assists on Dow's team-leading 11th goal of the season.
Just over two minutes later, Tobias doubled the Otters' advantage with her second goal of the season.
Taylor Grover provided the assist as Tobias finished from the left side of the box into the far corner in the 51st minute.
The two quick strikes provided all the offense Monterey Bay needed as the Otter defense secured another clean sheet.
Goalkeeper
Willow Baltazar recorded five saves across 90 minutes to preserve the shutout, including three stops in the opening half. The Otters held Menlo scoreless despite the Oaks recording 17 shots, with only five reaching the target.
Monterey Bay finished with 15 shots, including 10 in the second half, and held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. Dow led the Otters with four shot attempts, while Tobias finished with a goal and an assist.
The victory marked a historic milestone for Monterey Bay, which matched the program's NCAA Division II-era single-season wins record of eight, previously established in 2012. The Otters also extended their program-record unbeaten streak to 11 matches, continuing an impressive run that began in late September.
