THE RUNDOWN
The No. 1–ranked DBU Women's Soccer team clinched the South Central Regional Championship after a thrilling 3-2 win over No. 14 UCCS in overtime on a chilly Sunday afternoon at Patriot Soccer Field.
McKenna Vela delivered the decisive moment—burying the golden goal just 52 seconds into extra time period, sending DBU into the National Quarterfinals for the third time in program history.
DBU wasted no time seizing control. Just 69 seconds into the match,
Anne Louthan finished a long cross from Vela just outside the six-yard box to give the Patriots an early spark and a 1–0 advantage. DBU dictated the tempo for much of the opening half until UCCS found the equalizer in the 39th minute, when Emily Aguilar struck from distance to level the match.
Deadlocked at 1–1 coming out of halftime, Aguilar again found the back of the net—this time just eight minutes into the second half—to give the Mountain Lions their first lead of the day. But the Patriots answered quickly when Louthan tallied her second goal of the match. After receiving a short pass from
Riley Olsen in front of goal, the Patriots' senior midfielder spun to her left, and fired into an open net to even the score at 2–2.
The final 30 minutes of regulation featured end-to-end action as both sides pushed relentlessly for the go-ahead goal. DBU began to tilt the momentum in the closing minutes, generating several threatening chances before time expired and the match moved into overtime.
With the golden goal rule in effect, the Patriots wasted no time delivering the knockout punch. Breaking free on the right side,
Angelina Olmos sliced through the UCCS defense and sent a pinpoint cross into the box. Vela met it with a right-footed strike that soared into the top of the net—clinching the regional championship and igniting an on-field celebration.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
• DBU is advancing to the National Quarterfinals for the first time since 2021.
• The Patriots improve to 20-1 and have tied the 2021 team for the most wins in a season.
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McKenna Vela's golden goal was her fourth game-winning goal of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
29Â -Â With her assist on the game-winning goal,
Angelina Olmos sets a new school record for most career assists.
20Â - DBU outshot UCCS, 20-11
3Â -Â
Anne Louthan posted her third multi-goal game of the year.
DBU POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
UP NEXT
DBU will host No. 4 Cal Poly Pomona in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals next Saturday at Patriot Soccer Field, with a spot in the Final Four on the line. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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