Westmont women's soccer, ranked thirteenth in the NAIA preseason poll, opened the 2008 campaign with a 1-1 tie against #5 Concordia (Ore.) on Monday in Portland. After a scoreless first half, the Warriors found themselves down 1-0 after an own goal.

Jackie Pronovost of Concordia (1-0-1) launched a long pass into the middle of the box ten minutes into the second half where it connected with the head of her twin sister, Justine Pronovost. But a save on the header by Roxanne Love, Westmont's sophomore keeper, prevented the goal. Unfortunately, the ball came lose and an attempt to clear the ball by the Warriors produced a score for the Cavaliers.

Three minutes later, Love suffered a fracture to her orbital lobe in a collision and left the game. Freshman Natalie Johnston was called upon to tend the net. The status of Love's return to the Warrior lineup is unknown at the present time.

"Natalie came in and did a superb job," said Westmont head coach Dave Wolf.

Johnston produced five saves in 52 minutes of action in her collegiate debut. Three of those saves came in the second overtime period to preserve the tie for the Warriors.

The Warriors' goal came just six minutes after Johnston entered the game.

"Amy Lawson scored a very good goal to equalize the score," noted Wolf.

The shot from 18 yards out deflected off the cross bar and into the net. Freshman forward Chelsey Gonzales of Santa Barbara was credited with the assist after crossing the ball to Lawson from the right side.

"Coming back from a goal down on the road against a good team was a positive for us," said Wolf. "The team felt good about that accomplishment."

Westmont will play again in Portland on Tuesday, taking on #12 Simon Fraser (B.C.) in a game schedule to begin at noon.