CARLSBAD, CA- The Soka University Lions defeated the University of Saint Katherine Firebirds 2-0 on Saturday evening to secure the No. 4 seed in the Cal Pac Conference Tournament.

Luis Barraza netted both goals for the Lions, converting two penalty kicks. The first goal was finished in the 28^th minute, while Barraza tallied the insurance goal in the 63^rd minute to give his side the win while ensuring Soka a host spot in the Cal Pac Conference Tournament.

This is the second time in program history that Soka has earned a trip to the post-season with a spot in the Cal Pac Conference Tournament. The last time the Lions made an appearance was during the 2016 season. However, this is the first time Soka has hosted an opening round game.

The Lions finished the 2023 regular season boasting a 9-6-1 overall record and an 8-4 record in Cal Pac Conference play. Currently, the 2023 squad has produced the second-best record in program history behind the 2016 season, where they finished 11-5-1 overall and 8-2 in Cal Pac Conference play.

"The team was great tonight," said Head Coach Shawn Beyer. "Saint Katherine's squad was up for the match, knowing a win would get them into the playoffs, but we managed to create many opportunities to score and battled well in the aerial game that they presented. This week in training, we prepared with great intensity and focus. So, to see us perform so well tonight was not a surprise. The team has made a place in Soka history by hosting a post-season playoff match for the first time. Though we have accomplished one of our goals for this season, we now look to press on for another win. It's always been about taking it one game at a time for us, and now we focus on next Saturday."

Soka is set to host No. 5 seed Park University-Gilbert on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

 
NOTES: Soka outshot Saint Katherine 15-11, with the Lions putting six shots on frame to the Firebirds' three… Soka's Eric Aparicio made three saves on the day… yellow cards were shown to Soka's Luca Aiello and USK's Enzo Silva, Henry Lund, and Flo Gasse, while the Firebirds' Christian Vega was shown a red card.