Freshman Jackie Lancaster's goal in the 49th minute proved to be enough as Dominican women's soccer secured the PacWest NorCal Pod championship title with a 1-0 win over Holy Names University. 
 
After being ranked No. 7 in the PacWest Conference preseason poll, Dominican showed that it deserved conference respect after running the table en route to a 5-0 record in the PacWest NorCal Pod. If the record alone doesn't prove its worth, the stats show the Penguins only surrendering one goal in its five games, allowing just 10 shots on target while finding the opposing goalkeepers 31 total times. Dominican earned a 20-10 advantage in total corner kicks over its opponents, adding seven goals on 74 shots attempts compared to its opponents' 27 combined attempts. 
 
"It feels amazing to defy the odds," junior Kamryn Sorrick said. "To be shown that we aren't thought of as highly as we'd like to be, but then to come out as strong as we did, it showed them what we have and what we got. It speaks volumes about the program and knocks on everyone's door while telling them 'we're here, we're ready to fight.'"
 
The first goal of the final conference contest came in the 48^th minute when freshman Danielle Gonzalez found Lancaster creeping towards the far post. Lancaster went seemingly unseen by the Holy Names defense as Gonzalez sent the ball across the box and onto Lancaster's foot before she was able to find the back of the net. 
 
"I saw the ball coming after Danielle (Gonzalez) sent through a great ball, and the defender that was supposed to be defending me seemed like she didn't know I was there, so it was an easy tap-in," Lancaster said. "I've been a defender for my whole life, scoring is a new feeling for me. It's extremely satisfying to score, especially at the collegiate level."
 
Lancaster looked to add to her goal total just two minutes later when she found herself with another opportunity in-close, but Abby Burnell stood tall for the Hawks and kept the game at 1-0. 
 
Dominican controlled the pace for the remainder of the first half with the Hawks' best chance coming in the 85^th minute when Kirsten Phillips aimed a kick towards the lower-right 90, but Nicole Maler turned it aside to secure the 1-0 win for Dominican. 
 
The Penguins 5-0 record marks the best record and start to a season that the Dominican women's soccer program has ever seen as an NCAA Division II program. In a unique year, Dominican is the first ever PacWest NorCal Pod Champion.