Box Score TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (November 1, 2019) - The No. 5 Salt Lake Community College women's soccer team will have a chance to defend its Region 18 championship crown from 2018, thanks to an impressive semifinal victory to open the 2019 Region 18 championships.

The Bruins earned a 5-2 win over USU Eastern in a semifinal on Friday at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, powering to its second championship match appearance in as many seasons. The win also boosts Salt Lake's overall record to 12-0-1 overall.

A Kaytlyn Larsen goal early in the first half lifted the Bruins into the leading position, a lead they would stretch to 2-0 in the 18th minute with a Baylie Saunders goal. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, USU Eastern scored a goal early in the second half to cut the deficit to 2-1 but SLCC responded with a Hannah Lee goal off a penalty kick in the 65th minute that stretched the lead back to 3-1. Cassidy Adams then extended the lead to 4-1 in the 71st minute after dribbling past the goalkeeper for the score. Taylin Nguyen closed the scoring for the Bruins with a goal in the 79th minute to boost the advantage to 5-1.

The Bruins held a 14-7 edge in shots in the match. Saunders, Lee and Samantha Tippetts all took a trio of shots in the win. Siuana Pauni earned a win at goal, making a pair of saves in the victory. 

Salt Lake will play the winner of a match between Snow College and the College of Southern Nevada at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday for the Region 18 championship. The match will be played at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. The winner will advance to next weekend's NJCAA District One championship.