There aren’t too many buzzer beaters in college soccer, but today was an exception as Westmont women’s soccer defeated #2 Azusa Pacific by a score of 2-1 in the final second of the second overtime period. The winning goal was the result of a free kick that Jenna Nelson sent to the box. Jessica Zuehlsdorf headed the ball into the net, giving the Warriors a win with 00:01 showing on the double-overtime clock.
“I was already walking toward the Azusa bench to shake hands after the game,” admitted Westmont head coach Dave Wolf. “I didn’t realize we were taking a free kick that would ultimately lead to the goal. It was very odd.”
Once the goal was scored, it took a moment for what had just happened to sink into the awareness of both the players and coaches.
“You needed the mental conformation that the ball actually went in and that the referee was going to give the goal as good,” said Wolf. “Once that happened, the team was racing around on the field, very excited and happy. They had put in a huge effort and it was an incredible way for them to win the game.”
With the win, Westmont improves to 5-6-1 overall and 3-4 in conference play. Azusa Pacific falls to 11-3 overall and 7-1 in the GSAC.
Westmont Women’s Soccer had not beaten the Cougars since a similar, though slightly less dramatic, occurrence on September 30, 2006. On that day, Brianna Russo scored the only goal of the game with 39 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Warriors a 1-0 homecoming win.
“I think a win like this is a massive boost and a bit of a continuation of Saturday’s game against Point Loma,” said Wolf. “I thought we really played well and it was heartbreaking not to get a win in that game. I would not have anticipated that the team would have been able to play at that level again within a week’s time. But they did.”
Wolf introduced a new strategy against Point Loma – playing out of a 4-5-1 formation – and decided to stick with that shape against the Cougars.
“I think we are getting comfy with the 4-5-1,” said the coach. “It’s a shape that is working for us right now. A performance like Saturday’s helps you believe in it. A result like today’s, really confirms that belief.”
Jameisha Washington scored the game’s first goal in the fifty-fifth minute of play, tapping in a cross from Zuehlsdorf. The Cougars tied the game in the sixty-sixth minute when Theresa Broad gathered a pass from Lauren Lane and placed her shot into the net at the near post.
Azusa Pacific out shot Westmont 21-10 but only 9 of the Cougars shots were on frame. Half of Westmont’s shots were on target – including the two which scored. Azusa Pacific also held a 6-1 corner kick advantage. The Warriors did not take a corner kick until the fourth minute of the second overtime period.
Westmont goalkeeper Roxanne Love tallied nine saves including seven in the first half of regulation.
“Roxanne made all the saves she was supposed to make and made one really big save in the first half that kept us in the game,” said Wolf. “She was a very important part of the result today.”
Wolf also cited a strong performance by Haley Yurtin. The freshman came into the game at the start of the second half to replace midfielder Melanie Greene who took a kick to the head during the first half and did not return to the game.
“In today’s game, we got progressively better as the game went on,” assessed Wolf. “That is really hard to do against Azusa Pacific. After that first overtime period, I told the team that I thought we were outstanding in the first overtime period. It was almost shocking after how much they worked the previous 90 minutes. The spirit of the team was huge. A result like that can change your whole season.”
Westmont returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Fullerton to take on the Royals of Hope International (7-6-1, 1-5 GSAC). The game is scheduled to begin at noon.
