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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Westmont men’s and women’s soccer teams find themselves listed in the first regular season NAIA rankings for the 2006 season. The women’s team (3-0) retained its number three status with victories over #13 Simon Frasier of British Columbia (previously #4) and #6 Concordia (Ore.), as well as Oklahoma Baptist.

Martin Methodist (Tenn.) remains at number one in the women’s ratings with Lee (Tenn.) at number two.

Senior midfielder Jessica Schoepke scored with just 2:57 left in regulation to give #3 Westmont women’s soccer a 3-2 win over the Lady Bison of Oklahoma Baptist at Russ Carr Field this afternoon.

Westmont out shot Oklahoma Baptist 20-6, but were never able to pull away from the Lady Bison.

“I thought we did a great job of creating opportunities for ourselves,” said head coach Rebecca Mouw. “Our movement off the ball was key for us offensively. I was happy with the runs made off the ball and the speed of play in the midfield and up front. Obviously we didn’t finish as well as we would have liked to.”

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#3 Westmont women’s soccer knocked off their second top-ten opponent in as many days as the Warriors (2-0) defeated the Concordia (Ore.) Cavaliers by a score of 2-1 at the Cavalier Holiday Inn Classic in Portland, Oregon. Concordia is currently ranked at number eight.

Senior forward Katie Rhodes scored both of Westmont’s goals with Jane Wyche and Jessica Schoepke picking up assists.

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After completing a 16-day trip to Africa just three days ago, the #3 Westmont Warriors opened the season with a 1-0 victory over #4 Simon Fraser (B.C.) at the Cavalier Holiday Inn Classic in Portland, Oregon.

“We showed some tired legs after our trip,” acknowledged head coach Rebecca Mouw. “But I am very proud of how our players stepped it up and pressured the ball all over the field. The team did a great job of maintaining possession and getting into a position to score.”

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