ERAU Upsets Top Seed UCM, Advances to Championship

Embry-Riddle's Jarred Petersen drove home the golden goal at the 14:58 mark of overtime to lift the Eagles to a semifinal round upset of #1 seed UC Merced on the second day of action at the Pacific Conference Championship tournament at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif. The big win advances ERAU into Saturday's championship match, where the Eagles will meet the winner of the day's second semifinal match between #3 Antelope Valley (11-8 overall this season) and tournament host and #2 seed Marymount California (11-4-3) at 1:30 p.m.

UCM's season, however, is not over. Because the Cal Pac has 12 teams in the conference, there are two bids available. By virtue of winning the regular season title, the Bobcats (13-4-2) already earned an automatic bid into the NAIA National Tournament, which begins with the Opening Round on Monday, Nov. 26. This scenario makes Saturday's Cal Pac finale a true winner-take-all since the tournament champions will earn the second automatic bid.

After playing a scoreless first half, ERAU (12-6-1) got on the scoreboard first when Daniel Nunez found the back of the net in the 56th minute, but five minutes later UCM's Artemio Contreras evened the score with a goal of his own.

CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

At El Camino College, Torrance, Calif.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Opening Round

11:00 a.m. Game 1--Embry-Riddle 1, Benedictine-Mesa 0

1:30 p.m. Game 2--Antelope Valley 1, Simpson 0

Thursday, Nov. 8

Semifinals

11:00 a.m. Embry-Riddle 2, UC Merced (OT)

1:30 p.m. #3 Antelope Valley vs. #2 Marymount California

Saturday, Nov. 10

Championship

1:00 p.m.