All of Crown's fall sports were in full swing as November kicked off. Both cross country teams earned runner-up finishes, football secured a road victory, volleyball triumphed at home, and just before this match up, women's soccer celebrated a 2–0 win. This contest, however, carried the highest stakes of the season, with postseason hopes hanging in the balance. Crown entered the match knowing that a win or draw would clinch the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, and they came ready to take control of their own destiny. The rivalry game quickly turned physical as both sides battled for every possession. A costly yellow card on the Rams' goalkeeper set up a pivotal moment for the Polars. Alan Montano's initial free kick deflected off the wall, but he capitalized on the rebound, burying his second attempt to give Crown the lead. The Polars carried that momentum into halftime with a commanding 2–0 advantage.