Westmont’s K.J. Hornibrook, shown here against Westminster, scored for the Warriors on Monday against Martin Methodist. (Presidio Sports Photo)
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Goals by Brooke Lillywhite and K.J. Hornibrook gave Westmont the offensive firepower to defeat Martin Methodist 2-0 in the second round of the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship. It was the ninth shutout of the season for goalkeeper Lindsey Smith and the 15th for the Warriors overall.
The Warriors advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinals to play the winner of tomorrow’s second round game between #7 Davenport (Mich.) and #10 Cumberlands (Tenn.).
“We weren’t great in the first half, but the players adjusted,” said Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely. “They recognized the pace of the game and what we were capable of. They came out in the second half much sharper and much more confident. They recognized the time and space they had on the ball and that they could get it wide. ”
With less than seven minutes remaining in the first half, Westmont scored the first goal after a corner kick by Courtney Stonesifer. Hensley’s retrieved the ball from the corner kick and served it back in to Kelsey Steck at the far post.
“It popped out on the right side near the corner,” said Lillywhite. “Kelsey made a good play and turned and hit it back. I called for it and went over the goalies head and I just headed it in.”
Westmont controlled possession for most of the second half and had several opportunities to score. In the 59th minute, Hornibrook broke free and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper before she was taken down from behind. Westmont was awarded a penalty kick, but the shot taken by Hensley went wide to the left.
Six minutes later, Christina Adams was fouled hard as she drove with the ball just to the right of the box. After Adams left the game, the Warriors were awarded a free kick that Kaci Mexico headed into the net. However, the center referee called a controversial foul and disallowed the goal.
“Anytime you miss a PK, you feel like the momentum is going to shift,” said Kiely. “Then the goal got called back on what looked like a beautiful goal. But the team just kept coming at Martin Methodist. It never felt like the momentum every shifted. I’m very proud of the team.”
The Warriors’ second goal finally materialized in the 81st minute.
“Tiffany (Dimaculangan) played a perfect ball through to me, in-between the outside back and the center back,” described Hornibrook. “I was running from the middle and ran onto it. Tiff played it to the right of me and I was able to run around the defender and put it away (with my) right foot.”
Looking forward to the quarterfinals, Kiely indicated she had no preference which opponent the Warriors would face on Wednesday.
“Cumberland and Davenport are two very strong teams,” said the coach. “They have had great schedules this year so they have been tested. Cumberland has defeated the number one team in the country in Lindsey Wilson. Davenport has played a lot of top opponents and been successful. Either way it is going to be a tough game and a good game.”
