Box Score PRESCOTT, ARIZ. – A perfect storm of scenarios, and a 2-0 win over the Westcliff, allowed the Embry-Riddle men's soccer team to clinch the Cal Pac Regular Season Championship. It is the first time the Eagles have won the regular season championship outright, and is the first time since 2012 to get at lease a share of the regular season crown.
With UC Merced tying at Antelope Valley earlier in the afternoon, all the Eagles needed was a victory on Saturday to wrap up the regular season title. The Eagles were able to stay focused in its final home game of the season, and was able to clinch the 2-0 victory. The win also puts ERAU in the NAIA National Championship, and gives them the top seed in the upcoming Cal Pac Tournament.
A back-and-forth game saw Embry-Riddle pick up the first tally, as Alex Frances scored his 13th of the season at the 13:11 mark. Frances was able to put away a great lead pass from Lucas Garcia and give the Eagles the much-needed first goal.
Frances would strike again in the second half, making his 14th goal of the season the insurance goal for ERAU. With Westcliff attempting to grab a bit of momentum to start a comeback, the Eagles connected well through the midfield, and Djougher Oliveira was able to find Frances for the contest's second marker.
Defensively, the Eagles were able to severely limit the amount of chances the Warriors got. They allowed just one shot attempt per half to the Warriors, and Westcliff did not get a shot on target. While Westcliff did have six corner kicks, ERAU played all of those attempts well and did not let anything dangerous in front of its goal.
While the Eagles wrapped up its spot in the NAIA National Championship and Cal Pac Tournament, they still have one more game to wrap up the regular season. Embry-Riddle will have a tilt at Benedictine-Mesa next Saturday, with kickoff from Bell Bank Park in Gilbert, Ariz. scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
