Junior Midfielder Taylor Callan scored twice to lead Westmont Women’s Soccer to a 3-1 win over Biola (3-9-2, 1-5-1) on a blustery Tuesday afternoon at Russ Carr Field. With the win, Westmont moves into a tie with Concordia for second place in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Both teams have records of 5-2-1 in conference play and have collected 16 points in the conference standings (three points for a win and one for a tie).

“The wind was going all sorts of directions today,” said head coach Rebecca Mouw. “The ball can do anything on a day like today. With the sun and the wind it created opportune chances for shooters. I was proud of the team for coming with the mentality of taking shots and giving ourselves a chance to get something on frame. Taylor did that and it created something for us.”

Callan’s first goal gave Westmont a 1-0 lead in the nineteenth minute of play. Callan scored from 35 yards out after receiving the ball from Kayla Barkett.

“We have been practicing shooting all week long because shots create chances even if they don’t go in,” said Callan. “The shot knuckled a little bit and got some luck from the wind and went right between (the keepers’) legs. It was a lucky shot, but we’ll take it.”

Callan’s second goal came just eight minutes later and put the Warriors up 2-0. While the Warriors have experienced good success on corner kicks this year, nothing has been quite as good as this attempt. Callan sent the shot from the left corner and the ball, aided by the wind, bent in front of the far post and into the net to produce an unassisted goal.

The Eagle’s Hollie Affentranger scored in the fortieth minute off an assist from Kahlie Reinecke to move Biola to within one goal (2-1), but Westmont’s Jamesiha Washington scored less than four minutes later to restore a two goal margin for the Warriors before the half expired. A scramble in front of the goal ensued after a cross from Candace Marques, and Washington was able to launch a shot into the net for the point.

Forced to change directions and move into the stiffening wind, the Warriors’ needed to be cautious in the second half.

“We advised the team to be safe first,” said Mouw, “and they did a good job of taking care of the ball. In the first half, a lot of our through balls were running out of bounds because of the wind. We advised the team at halftime that if they were going to hit a through ball, it was going to drop, so hit it hard.”

Westmont’s defense held up against the wind-aided Eagle offense and did not allow a second-half goal. Mouw was especially pleased with the play of senior Andria Carlson.

“Andria played very well today,” said Mouw. “She solidified her role as a defensive central midfielder. Her communication with Scottee (Reid) has been excellent, as has her distribution from that spot.

The Warriors have two conference games left in the regular season. On Saturday, Westmont travels to El Cajon to take on San Diego Christian (4-7-1, 1-6-0) and then will host California Baptist (10-4-0, 5-2-0) on Saturday, October 27. The Lancer’s are current in fourth place in the conference, just on point behind Westmont and Concordia.

“We are feeling really good going into the end of the regular season,” said Callan, “especially because we put away our chances today. We have been getting chances in 1-0 games, but it’s big time for us to get some goals in the net and get into our rhythm – perfect timing before regionals and nationals.”

Callan, who is a transfer from Oregon, has found a home with the Warriors.

“I feel like I have been going here for four years,” said the midfielder. “It’s a great team and I couldn’t ask for better teammates and friends.”

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