Despite a fast start, the NAIA 25th-ranked Westmont women’s soccer team opened the 2019 season with a 2-1 home loss against Southern Oregon (1-0) in coach Jenny Jaggard’s debut.
Brooke Porter gave the Warriors an early lead in the eighth minute after her shot from the left side of the box squeaked through the goalkeeper’s legs. Porter, whose goal was assisted by Maddi Berthoud, scored in her first official collegiate game after missing her first three seasons at Westmont with injuries.
The visitors equalized in the 50th minute. A through ball over the top reached Raiders’ forward Baylee Touey, whose shot went past goalkeeper Gabi Haw and took an unfortunate deflection off a defender.
Southern Oregon scored the game winner in the 79th minute on Aislinn Waite’s shot into the upper left corner.
The Warriors pressed forward for an equalizer but were unable to find one. In the last second, a cross just bounced over Katie Stella’s head inside the box and time expired.
“We’re young, especially in the backline, and we had a couple breakdowns,” said Jaggard. “We were not as organized as I was hoping we were going to be today. I think that we have to credit Southern Oregon for being pretty organized. Their shape was really good in this game and they countered.
“They were very physical and I think that that’s something our team is going to have to work on being better at, especially in the midfield.”
Westmont has one day of rest before returning to action on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for an exhibition match at UCSB. The Warriors return home next Wednesday to play Marymount at 4:00 p.m.