Printed in the Commerce Journal

POMONA, Calif.– A controversial goal in the second overtime period sent the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos to a 2-1 victory over the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions Sunday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships.
 
The Broncos (16-5-1) got the goal when 1998 All-American Ruth Van't Land fired a shot at All-Lone Star Conference Lion goalkeeper 'Sarah Fagan inside the penalty area that Fagan blocked away.
 
The ball hit Van't Land on the arm and went down to her foot, where the Broncos leading scorer drilled the ball into the right corner for the victory.
 
"I really hurt for our girls," said Lion coach Neil Piper. "They played so hard to lose on a controversial goal. The referee didn't see it and the assistant said he saw it but that it was accidental. It's hard to be accidental in the six-yard box."
 
The goal spoiled a strong defensive performance by the Lions (16-4-1). A&M-Commerce had stopped 15 of the 16 previous shots, with Fagan notching eight saves.
 
Cal Poly opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Shellie Shinedling took a feed from Van't Land and buried it in the upper right corner to take a 1-0 lead.
 
But just two minutes later, the Lions tied it up when Junior Erin Adamson got a feed from midfielder Toni Catchings and dribbled it to the front of the goal, 25 yards away, then rocketed a shot past CPP goalkeeper Katie Kreps.
 
The teams had chances throughout the next 98 minutes but neither could score until the rebound shot from Van't Land.
 
"We just lacked something out there today," commented Piper afterwards. "We had our chances, but even with the controversy, the best team won."
 
The Lons completed their best season in school history, winning the LSC regular season, the LSC Tournament and West Regional titles.
 
Cal Poly Pomona advances to meet Barry in the semifinals on Dec. 3.