ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Lady Lions dropped their final match of the 2018 season against the UC Merced Bobcats 3-1 on Friday evening at the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.

Soka was the first to get on the scoreboard in the 14^th minute after Rhea Hartwell served a deep diagonal ball into the right corner of the attacking third. Hartwell's pass connected with Jordan Pritzl, who played her pass back to Kiana Dinsmore. Dinsmore collected the ball, and dropped the ball back to Caroline Goodwill. Goodwill hit her first-time shot high, and over the head of UC Merced's goal keeper for the 1-0 lead.

The Lady Lions' lead was not long lived, as the Bobcats Jenn Salinger tallied UC Merced's first goal three minutes later. Salinger got on the end of a cross served in by Opal Ward, and finished her shot low, and into the near post past Soka's Alicia Davis to equalize.

UC Merced's Emily Burnett netted the Bobcat's game-winning goal in the 39^th minute, and secured the win when she finished her chance high and into the upper-90 of the near post in the 86^th minute, for a final score of 3-1, despite dangerous scoring opportunities created by Soka's Camryn Finnell and Iris Cox in the remaining minutes of the match.

The Lady Lions finish their 2018 season with an overall record of 6-9, and 4-6 in California Pacific Conference play.

Prior to the start of the match, Soka honored their six graduating seniors with a touching tribute to Class of 2019's Chloe Ballard, Rhea Hartwell, Alicia Davis, Kiana Dinsmore, Natalia Gilbert, and Sydney Marin.

Chloe Ballard: Chloe is a four-year starter in the midfield. She played in 43 games, scored five goals and had two assists.  Unfortunately, for Chloe and the Lady Lions, an early season injury kept her off the field for the majority of her senior season, however, that did not stop her from being a crucial part of the team this year.  She has a keen knowledge for the game, and a great skill-set that she willingly passes on to her teammates. Chloe is a two-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete.

Alicia Davis: Ally played in 45 games and made 182 career saves as our goalkeeper.  The coaches consider her to be the most improved senior, as she has shown courage, resilience and confidence in goal. She is a hard worker, and has always put in the extra effort during training and in the off season.  She is a two-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete.

Kiana Dinsmore: During Kiki's collegiate career she has played in 59 games, scored two goals and assisted in six. She has been the Lady Lions' team captain for the last two seasons, and an impactful leader on the field for all four years. She is a courageous, hardworking and versatile midfielder and a huge part of the success that the Lady Lions' have had over the last four years. She is a two-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete.

Natalia Gilbert: Nat played in 65 games, scored 24 goals and assisted in seven goals.  As a forward, Nat has a nose for the net and a natural ability to find the goal. She has taken 174 shots in her four years. She is very skillful on the ball, and has a great work ethic, and unquestionably the highest work rate on the team. Nat was selected as a Cal Pac Conference Offensive player of the week for her play during the week of Sept. 17^th this season, as well as Offensive Player of the week in for the week of Sept. 19^th in 2016. Gilbert was also named to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Honorable Mention Team in the spring of 2018, and was voted to the Cal Pac Conference Honorable Mention team during her junior season, and the Cal Pac Conference Second-Team in 2016. She was also voted to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Association NAIA/NCCAA Women's All-West Region Second Team last season, and is a two time NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete

Rhea Hartwell: Rhea played in 61 games, scored nine goals with five assists. She was named Cal Pac Conference Defensive player of the week in September of 2016.  She is a determined, dedicated, "no-nonsense" defender who also has great attacking ability. This year she battled to play through a tough injury, consistently pushing herself to do her best. She is a two-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete.

Sydney Marin: Syd Played in 56 games, scored one goal and assisted in three. Sydney has been a key leader at central defense.  She has made too many crucial saves to count. She never shies away from a tackle, and always knows where to be, and when to get there.  She was selected as the Cal Pac Conference Defensive player of the week this season and last season for her play during the week of Oct.9^th. Marin was also named to the Cal Pac Conference Honorable Mention Team in 2017 and was also the Lady Lions' Most Valuable Player for the 2017 season.