PacWest title chase coming down to final days

With 2 dates remaining, PacWest Women's Soccer title in limbo

QUEEN CREEK, AZ - With just two days of games left in the Pacific West Conference women's soccer se ason, more than a league title is on the line.

For the first time in conference history, a PacWest women's soccer team will be granted an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. And right now, four teams are clamoring for that honor.

 BYU-Hawaii's 2-1 win over Dixie State and Hawaii Hilo's 3-0 blanking of Notre Dame de Namur on Monday left the Seasiders and Vulcans deadlocked in first place with 16 points each. There is one caveat, however; BYU-Hawaii has a game in hand.

At 8-2 in league play, the Seasiders can clinch the PacWest title and the automatic berth with a victory and tie. But it won't be easy since BYU-Hawaii has to face Grand Canyon (6-11-1, 5-5 PacWest) on Wednesday and then NDNU on Friday.

If BYU-Hawaii does take top honors, the Seasiders will have claimed the PacWest's first two automatic selections of the year. The BYU-Hawaii volleyball team stands at 12-0 and has long-clinched the PacWest title and the free trip to the NCAA II post-season that comes with it.

The Argos currently sit in fourth place with 12 points on a 6-4 conference mark and have an outside shot at the PacWest Championship. But that scenario would involve NDNU winning its final two games over last-place Chaminade and current top seed BYU-Hawaii, the Seasiders taking a hit vs. Grand Canyon, and Dixie State finishing in third place ahead of Hawai‘i Hilo.

The Vulcans, who are tied for first with BYU-Hawaii, have just the lone match at the end of the schedule against Dixie State to help decide their season. A victory is a must.

And Dixie State could jump over everyone with two wins in its final two games. Dixie has 14 points on a 7-3 record in PacWest play, while its overall mark stands at 11-6-1.

Only one thing is true - the outcome of Wednesday's games can only muddle already complex championship scenarios.