The season came to an end for the Westmont women’s soccer team as the Warriors fell to undefeated William Carey (Miss.), 3-1, in the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championship on Thursday in Orange Beach, Ala.
The Eagles (21-0) scored two goals in the first half and added a third goal nine minutes into the second half.
“I felt like we started reasonably strong except for some defensive breakdowns,” said Westmont head coach Jenny Jaggard. “We gave them two goals that came too easily and were very preventable.”
The Eagles’ first goal came in the 14th minute, when Kauany Sousa scored from 19 yards in front of the goal. Twenty minutes later, William Carey scored again on a Kaylie Agostine goal, assisted by Veronica Herrera.
In the 54th minute, the Eagles extended their lead to 3-0 with a goal from Maria Corral Pinon from 17 yards out.
Westmont’s Grace Duckens prevented the shutout in the 84th minute. Kendall Morton served a ball forward along the ground from beyond midfield. The ball got past the Eagles’ back line of defense and Duckens raced for the ball as Carey’s keeper, Jaina Eckert, came out from her goal. As Eckert slid for the ball just inside the 18 yard box, Duckens shot the ball past her and into the goal.
“It felt good to get on the scoreboard,” stated Jaggard. “I was happy for Grace and that we were able to make some kind of statement. We just needed more of that energy sooner.”
The Warriors (13-2-5) made their 23rd appearance in the NAIA National Championship, winning three out of four games this season and improving to 41-13-8 (.714) in national championship play.