Ashley Correa sparked Westmont by flinging beautiful crosses, winning possessions of 50-50 balls, and asserting herself as an offensive presence to be reckoned with in a 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Point Loma at Thorrington Field on Saturday.
That spark lit ablaze in the 80th minute when Correa scored on a free kick that dodged the wall of defenders and slid passed the goalie’s outstretched arms.
The free kick was awarded when Tiffany Dimaculangan split the defense and drew a foul right outside the box. The goal proved to be the deciding factor as the No. 18 Westmont women’s soccer team (11-5, 6-3 GSAC) team knocked off the third-ranked Sea Lions of Point Loma Nazarene (16-1-1, 8-1).
Junior Aolani Rueff added an assurance goal off a rebound to make the final score 2-0 in the final Golden State Athletic Conference regular season game of the year.
On a day that honored three seniors — Melanie Greene, Samantha Kleen, and Leeza Henderson — there was plenty to play for.
“It is a big game and it’s like every other game at the same time,” said Kristi Kiely, Westmont women’s soccer head coach, “It’s big because it could secure us a first-round home game for playoffs, it would be fun to knock off the top team in the GSAC, but it’s like any other in that you have to prepare for it, stay focused and play your best.”
Westmont has earned a first-round home playoff game against Concordia in the first round of the GSAC Tournament. The game will be played on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Thorrington Field. The Warriors also procured a key victory to add to their resume for a chance at an at-large bid for the NAIA National Championship.
