Two freshmen produced the Warriors’ goals on Saturday at Russ Carr Field as Westmont Women’s Soccer defeated #4 Point Loma Nazarene 2-1 in double overtime. Kayla Barkett scored just before halftime to put the Warriors up 1-0 and Candace Marques recorded a golden goal in the 106th minute to give the Warriors the victory.

“This is a big confidence booster for the team,” said head coach Rebecca Mouw. “We were able to convert our chances and able to hold down a tough offensive team. It was a very even game and our players battled.”

Barkett’s goal was the result of a cross from senior Brianna Russo who was credit with an assist.

“It was a great ball by Russo and Kayla did a great job of get something on it and getting it in the goal,” said Mouw. “It was very pretty soccer in the first half in terms of our passing, switching the field, moving the ball around and playing quickly – but pretty soccer doesn’t win soccer games. I was pleased that K.B. was able to get that finish before halftime.”

Both teams demonstrated a good bit of intensity after the intermission.

“There were definitely some tense moments in the second half and Point Loma did some things to get forward on us a little bit,” said Mouw. “I thought our back line did a great job holding up. Roxanne (Love) made some key saves and our backs made some key saves. Then Point Loma got the penalty kick and they were able to convert.”

The penalty kick, scored by the Sea Lions’ Rebecca Lewis, was a result of a hand ball in the box.

The Warriors outshot Point Loma 4-1 in overtime play, culminating in Marques’ goal off a corner kick from junior Taylor Callen.

“We have been successful on corner kicks but they are never a given,” said Mouw. “We had a few corner kicks up to that point and Taylor had been serving them long. She finally took something off of one and Candice was able to get in there and put it away. It was fun for Candice to get her first goal. She has played about every minute of every game and for her to contribute such an important goal for us was really exciting.”

This week, Westmont will play at Fresno Pacific (6-2-3, 1-1-3) on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and then return home for a match-up with #11 Concordia (10-2, 4-1) at Russ Carr Field on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

“This is a very big week for us with two very good teams,” said Mouw. “There is a lot of parity in the Golden State Athletic Conference this year, as there is every year, and these are going to be big games for us.”

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