Blake Joyner, Andrew Lack and Brandon Talsma combined for a goal in the 83rd minute to break a stalemate and give Westmont a 1-0 win over the Lakers of Roosevelt (Ill.) on Saturday afternoon at Thorrington Field. The game was the season opener for both programs.
Roosevelt came into the game boasting a potent offense that tallied 75 goals last season. True to form, the Lakers found opportunities and fired off 19 shots over the course of 90 minutes, six of which were on frame. The Warriors kept pace with the Lakers, however, producing 18 shots of their own, and also tallied six on goal.
Westmont goalkeeper Josh Glover produced five saves with two spectacular denials coming in the opening minutes of the second. A shot by the Lakers’ Jose Garcia from the top of the box in the 50th minute was headed on a line to the top right corner. However, Glover jumped to the left and deflected it with his right hand.
In the 53rd minute, Garcia drilled a corner kick from the left side to 5 yards in front of the goal at the near post where Evan Trychta flicked his head, sending the ball on a trajectory to the far post. Glover responded with cat like instincts, got both hands on the ball and pushed it to his right. Muhammad Mehai collected the ball and sent it safely down the field.
The Warriors’ game winner came after Joyner collected the ball 25 yards from the end line on the left side of the field and sent it across the goal toward Lack. Six yards from the end line on the right side of the goal, Lack headed the ball to Talsma who was standing two yards in front of the goal. Talsma used just one touch to redirect the ball into the net.
Next up for the Warriors is a road trip to Ohio and a milestone for the Westmont Men’s Soccer program. The Warriors will play the 1,000th game in program history at #5 Rio Grande on Friday.
