Undefeated SeaLions One Game Away From Clinching 2012 WPSL Regional Playoff Spot

The San Diego SeaLions (5-0-0) won their fifth straight conference match on the road last Saturday night 1-0 against Ajax (1-3-0). The team remains undefeated with one regular season game to go.

The first meeting between the two teams was on June 3 at the SeaLions’ home opener at Cathedral Catholic High School. San Diego dominated the match and came out on top 5-1. At Nansen Field last Saturday, the SeaLions met a much-improved Ajax side.

Ajax came out extremely physical, knocking the SeaLions around and making it known that they were there to battle. The SeaLions had several shots on frame, but were unable to convert anything in the first half.

Forward Nikki Petracca took a corner kick for the SeaLions in the 53^rd minute.  Ajax attempted to clear the ball, but it landed at the top of the 18 right at the feet of SeaLions’ midfielder Jessica Wi, who took a touch and shot it straight into the back of the net for the first and only goal of the match.

“This was a totally different Ajax team then the one we had played on June 3^rd,” said SeaLions’ General Manager Amie Becker. “They were more skilled, more physical, and it was definitely tougher for us to get behind their defense. Honestly, the result could have gone either way, but fortunately for us Jessica put away her chance and we took home the win.”

The SeaLions return home to Cathedral Catholic High on July 8 to take on Beach FC at 2:00PM.  This is the last regular season match for San Diego, and will determine whether or not they will advance to the playoffs.

Only the top team in the Pacific-South earns a trip to the 2012 WPSL Regional Playoffs. Beach is currently in second place behind the SeaLions, and one game behind. Beach is scheduled to play Ajax on July 7 at home. If Beach loses or ties, the SeaLions automatically clinch a playoff spot. Should they win, San Diego would advance with a win or a draw. Beach would need to shut out the SeaLions 0-3 in order to knock them out of first place and steal their spot in the playoffs. The last time these two teams met, the SeaLions beat Beach 2-0 on the road.