California Baptist University’s women’s soccer team made history on Saturday, Nov. 9, capturing its first-ever Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament Championship with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Grand Canyon University (GCU).
In a dramatic comeback, the Lancers showed resilience, answering each of GCU’s goals to secure the win. The victory marks the program’s first conference championship and the Lancers’ first postseason win.
Led by team captain Jayden Ramirez, senior biomedical sciences major, the Lancers never gave up, responding to adversity with determination and grit. After falling behind early, the Lancers equalized twice and netted the game-winner with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Ramirez, named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, was quick to share the praise, stating, “Honestly, all I got to say is all glory to God and what an incredible team, an incredible organization this is to represent.”
The match began with an early setback for CBU when GCU’s Aleisha Ganief scored off a corner kick in the 26th minute, putting the Lopes up 1-0. However, the Lancers responded quickly in the second half. Just seven minutes after the break, senior forward Morgan Witz scored her second goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. This goal was particularly significant for Witz, as it was only her second goal of the season, coming after her first in the season opener—a sweet way to close out her senior year.
GCU regained the lead in the 60th minute with AJ Loera’s goal to make it 2-1. But the Lancers’ resilience rose above. In the 78th minute, Witz sent in a cross, and senior Grace Blumfeldt scored her first-ever goal for the Lancers, leveling the match at 2-2. Blumfeldt, known for her defense, had never scored before, making this a special moment for the senior.
The decisive moment came in the 80th minute. Witz again provided a perfect corner kick, which senior Natalia Castro headed past the GCU goalkeeper for the game-winning goal. This tie-breaking goal was a fitting and emotional moment for Castro, who, like Witz and Blumfeldt, was closing out her senior season with a game-winning contribution in the WAC Championship.
Coach Coe Michaelson highlighted the competitive nature of the season, saying, “I think in the conference this year especially, there’s just not a great deal of difference from one team to the next.” He pointed to the tight standings, noting, “I think you can see that in the standings from, you know, 3rd to 8th is about a 3-point spread if memory serves.”
With this historic win, the Lancers not only captured their first WAC title but earned a spot in the NCAA Women’s Soccer National Tournament. It’s a fitting end to a season where players like Witz and Castro—both seniors—had career-defining performances.
In the aftermath of the game, Captain Jayden Ramirez reflected on the season’s triumphs and challenges, offering a profound message about her team’s drive: “Before the games, we’ve been writing things on our wrists, and for me, that says A-O-1; audience of one. And I think for every single person on this team, it’s just knowing that we serve a greater purpose and it’s more than just soccer for us, and so we’re fighting for something more than just ourselves.”
The victory over Grand Canyon was a testament to the team’s commitment to each other and their belief in something greater than themselves. From the leadership of Ramirez to the contributions of her fellow seniors like Witz, Blumfeldt, and Castro, the Lancers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the WAC and NCAA soccer.
This championship victory is a defining moment in the history of CBU women’s soccer, and as Ramirez put it, “Honestly, at the end of the day, we’re just so proud of this team and proud of the coaches. We put in 100% effort this year.” And with that effort, they’ve proven that the Lancers are no longer just contenders—they’re champions.
