Stanislaus beats Pomona to move within game of NCAA semifinal

The Cal State Stanislaus women’s soccer team is one victory away from reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament national semfinal.

Sophomore Kirsten Coleman scored two goals on Friday to lead the Warriors past Cal Poly Pomona 2-0 at Golden, Colo.

The victory in the West Region final sends Stanislaus (16-4-1) to Sunday’s quarterfinal game against host Colorado School of Mines at noon. Colorado beat Texas A&M-Commerce on penalty kicks.

The NCAA semifinals are Dec. 4-6 at Louisville, Ky.

“We are exactly where we expected ourselves to be this season,” Stanislaus coach Gabe Bolton said. “There is nobody on our team that is surprised by this success. We may have taken the road less traveled to become West Region champions but we always knew we had the ability to do it.”

Coleman, who attendedModesto’s Enochs High, finished off a blocked shot by Tina Benson in the first half for a 1-0 Stanislaus lead in the 13th minute. In the second half, she beat Pomona goalkeeper Ricki Ives for her 11th goal of the season.

“Our team counter attacks with incredible pace and power,” Bolton said. “Kirsten was in absolute beast mode out there tonight. The composure to take their goalkeeper on and finish with the second goal was sensational.”

He was referring to the second goal by Coleman, who gathered a long pass from Gregori graduate Maryssa McDuffy, and instead of firing an immediate shot, dribbled around Ives for an easy conversion.

“That was a gutsy move,” Bolton said. “She’s a phenomenal player with pace and power.”

The defense, meanwhile, shut down the Pomona offense, which could muster just two shots on goal – both blocked by Chelsea Lewandowski. The Stanislaus netminder, a junior from Fair Oaks, recorded her 11th shutout of the year.

“It’s a total team effort,” Bolton said of the defense. “It starts at the front, but the central and back defenders have been rock solid.”

Another key to the the victory, Bolton said, was playing on a regulation field. Their loss earlier this season to Pomona was on the Mustangs’ field, which is a bit smaller.

“We have great skill and speed, and that was neutralized,” he said of the earlier loss.

He said after his team takes in a movie today, he’ll spend time scouting Colorado (16-1-4).

“They’re a great, skillful team and had a great crowd out there today,” Bolton said.

This story was originally published November 21, 2014 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Stanislaus beats Pomona to move within game of NCAA semifinal."