Seniors Jessica Schoepke and Katie Rhodes scored first half goals as twelfth ranked Westmont women’s soccer defeated The Master’s by a score of 2-1 in Santa Clarita on Wednesday. Schoepke’s goal came in the sixteenth minute of play off a cross by junior Brianna Russo to the far post. Rhodes scored just seven minutes later, heading in a cross from senior Anna Gropp.

“The finishes were beautiful on both of our goals,” said head coach Rebecca Mouw.

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For eighty-nine minutes, it looked like another Westmont-Azusa Pacific soccer game was headed for overtime. But junior midfielder Brianna Russo had a different idea – win it in regulation. With just 39 seconds remaining on the second-half clock, Russo scored the game’s only goal and lifted the #8 Warriors over the #2 Cougars 1-0.

“Towards the end, both teams were battling,” said Russo. “I just took it down, beat my player, looked to the goal and it went in. I was so excited we scored in regulation because we were tired and didn’t want to go to overtime.”

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It wasn’t the way they wanted to start the Golden State Athletic Conference schedule, but #7 Westmont women’s soccer (5-3, 0-1) suffered a 3-2 loss to the Eagles of Concordia (5-3-1, 1-0-0) this afternoon in Irvine.

“We didn’t play well in the first half and found ourselves down 3-0 just after the start of the second half,” said head coach Rebecca Mouw. “I’m proud of the way we played in the second half – it was a hundred times better. But we have to play that way the whole game. We need to have a sense of urgency in the first half.”

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The NAIA’s seventh ranked women’s soccer team had a comparatively easy day at Russ Carr Field as Westmont (5-2) defeated the Eagles of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) by a score of 4-0. The Warriors took 25 shots in the contest without allowing the Eagles (3-8) to get off a single shot.

“There was great energy today from everyone on the team,” said Westmont head coach Rebecca Mouw. “After our loss on Monday, it was great to see everyone focused on bringing energy, fight and pride back to the game in order to get the win we needed.”

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Westmont sophomore Amy Lawson has been named the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Week as a result of her performance against Menlo last Saturday. The Honolulu, Hawaii resident served up an assist in the first half and then recorded a hat trick in the second half to help the Warriors overcome a 2-1 halftime deficit.

Lawson’s first goal came off a free-kick by senior Anna Gropp to tie the game at two. Her second goal resulted from a pass by senior forward Andria Carlson to junior midfielder Katie Rhodes. Rhodes forwarded the ball to Lawson who scored on her first touch. Lawson’s third goal came off another assist by Gropp.

As a freshman last season, Lawson led the team in scoring with twelve goals and has a team best four goals in 2006. Lawson was named to the All-Tournament Team at last year’s NAIA National Championship. She currently holds the six position in Westmont’s record books with .64 goals per game.

Third ranked Westmont women’s soccer (4-2) had a tough day at West Valley College in Saratoga where they suffered a 3-0 loss to the Argonauts of Notre Dame de Namur.

“Notre Dame is a good team,” said head coach Rebecca Mouw. “We got down early and had to fight. But they scored again in the first half and then added a third goal in the second half. Notre Dame is a very athletic, blue collar team.”

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Sophomore forward Amy Lawson put the ball in the back of the net three times in the second half in #3 Westmont women’s soccer’s 4-2 win over The Oaks of Menlo College on Saturday. Lawson also posted an assist in the Warriors’ first goal.

Kristina Leydecker scored twelve minutes into the game to game to give The Oaks (4-2) an early 1-0 lead. The Warriors evened the game in the forty-third minute on a goal by senior midfielder Anna Gropp which was set up by Lawson. But before the half could end, Menlo’s Lauren Maeshiro found the back of the net to give The Oaks a 2-1 halftime lead.

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Westmont women’s soccer suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Graceland (Iowa) by a score of 3-2 this afternoon at Russ Carr Field. The loss drops the Warriors to a record of 3-1 on the season.

“Graceland did a great job of putting away their chances,” said Westmont head coach Rebecca Mouw. “On all three goals, they had an opportunity to capitalize either on one of our mistake or a free kick.”

Graceland (5-1) scored in the twelfth minute of play when freshman Leesa Church raced down the field and put the ball in the net. “She was very fast,” said Mouw, “and we had trouble with her. That is something we are going to have to look out for in the future. Coming into GSAC play we know the pace is just going to get quicker and quicker. That is what we are going to be working on tomorrow.”

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