Soccer Wins Opening Game, Advances to Round of 16  
                                                                                                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
By Rob Goodrow
November 22, 2019
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) It took one goal in each half and a firm back line for the Westmont women's soccer team to defeat Marymount California, 2-0, in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament. The Warriors will now advance to the Final Site of the National Championship tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama.
 
On Saturday, Westmont (15-3-1) might have been a bit surprised to find their opponent, Marymount, ready to run with them. The Mariners played the previous morning, defeating Oregon Tech 2-1 to advance to the bracket final. It was clear from the outset that the team playing in back-to-back games was not evident.
 
"Marymount definitely didn't come out like they were tired from playing 90 minutes yesterday," said Warrior head coach Jenny Jaggard. "They pressured us and strung some passes together – there were a couple of scary moments for us in the first half. I feel like we were trying to get our postseason jitters out."
 
The Westmont jitters only made it to the the 30th minute when sophomore forward, Katie Stella, took the first of two Kira Nemeth assisting passes, and buried the shot into the net.
 
"Katie made a great read on the pass. She changed her line, cut in front of the defender and straight to the ball to put it away," described Jaggard. "Katie has a knack for getting in the right spots and she's very composed when it comes to finishing."
 
The Warriors outshot Marymount in the first half 10-4 and did not allow them a shot on goal for the entire game. After making a defensive adjustment at half time, the Mariners' attempt at scoring was completely frustrated by Westmont's defense, limiting the visitors to zero shots in the second forty-five.
 
"We allowed them too much space in the first half," explained Jaggard. "We allowed them space to turn and face-up with the ball. We had to close that down – less space means less time with the ball. We seemed to get our legs under us and got to the ball more quickly in the second half."
 
Another underclassman off the bench provided Westmont the separation score it needed to advance to Alabama. In the 78th minute, the Warrior attack, led by another textbook crossing pass from Nemeth, yielded a scoring strike off the foot of freshman Reese Davidson.
 
Said Jaggard, "It wasn't really a surprise when Kira's pass landed at Reese's feet that she was going to put it away. We have been doing a fair amount of practicing that exchange and I am really excited that it went in for her.
 
"Our players coming off the bench like Katie Stella and Reese, they are still playing hard even this late in the season and that's really helped us," continued Jaggard. "They've earned some minutes and today we saw how that did more than just make the starters better in practice, they helped us win the game."
 
Jaggard also was clear that seniors Nemeth and Katelyn Merrell, as well as, sophomore Teagan Matye were a bit unsung in the winning effort.
 
"Katelyn Merrell at attacking mid was really solid today. She calmed everything down and solidified our shape going from defense to offense.
 
"Teagan is not always noticed for the difference she makes out there, the example she sets by her effort. Even after missing a PK in the first half, her attitude never changed, her effort level never dropped and it actually increased as the game went on."
 
The Warriors now get set to pack up and travel for what they are planning on four games in five days beginning Tueday, December 3. They will take on the team ranked just one spot behind them, #9 Sciences & Arts (Okla.). The Drovers are 21-1 and champions of the Sooner Athletic Conference.
 
"This will continue to be a team effort and we need to stay sharp," said Jaggard. "We are about to encounter some high level soccer in Orange Beach so we have to stay connected as a team and find a way to get contributions from everyone.
 
"For our seniors today, it was the last time they will play at Thor(rington Field) and maybe that added an element to our performance. We weren't in top form but I was proud of the way we played tough, made adjustments and protected our lead."
 
Westmont last played at the Final Site of the NAIA National Championship Tournament in 2017, when they fell to Spring Arbor (Mich.) in the quarterfinals.