With a convincing victory over a Tacoma team who had ended their season two years ago on that very day, CBC Women's Soccer clinched their first NWAC Championship appearance under head coach Omar Anderson. 

It's easy to see the trajectory of the program to this moment from the beginning of Anderson's tenure in 2015 which started out with a 7-7-3 year. Each year, his teams have gotten stronger and better leading to this year's 11-2-2 team who clinched their first East Region title since 1999. Top 5 in the NWAC in all major offensive statistics, this Columbia Basin team blitzed their opponents all year long outscoring their opponents by an average margin of 2 goals per game. Lead by Sophomore keeper RiaJo Schwartz, the Hawks registered 11 shutouts in 14 games including their upcoming opponent- Peninsula.

This matchup presents unique circumstances as Anderson was once a player and coach at Peninsula on the Men's side in the late 2000's, under Peninsula coaches Andrew Chapman and current Women's coach Kanyon Anderson. "Seeing Omar and CBC ladies in the Final Four is so fantastic. Omar and the team have worked so hard to be there and truly deserve it" said Chapman.

The connection between the two coaches still runs deep to this day. "After he played he stayed and coached with me, and to this day remains one of my closes friends. Seeing all the success this program is having has me really excited about what is still to come. Friday is going to be the match up no one is going to want to miss!" Chapman exclaimed.

Despite the nostalgia of facing his former coach and school, Anderson and his team are hungry and determined to face Peninsula. After being lauded by the Port Angeles media as arguably the best/deepest team Peninsula has had under Kanyon Anderson, Omar Anderson's bunch came out and immediately put a question mark on that proclamation by shutting out the Pirates in a 0-0 game that saw CBC just miss a strong chance late for the win. The Hawks are one of just two teams to hold Peninsula scoreless this year and they believe that was not by accident.

"It's a great opportunity for our ladies to go out and prove they belong on the pitch with anybody." said Omar. "Kanyon's teams are always well-coached and buttoned up so I know he will have them ready to meet us head on. I'm just excited to be at this level and playing in such a huge match." 

No matter the outcome on Friday, this season has propelled CBC Women's Soccer into the short list of perennial contenders in the NWAC for the foreseeable future. Tune in to the NWAC Sports Network to catch every minute of the match starting at 4pm on Friday.