The NAIA No. 22 Westmont women’s soccer team battled back from a goal down at halftime to earn a 1-1 draw against No. 15 Mobile (Ala.) in the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzly Classic. It was the Warriors’ second and final game of the tournament after upsetting #1 William Carey (Miss.) on Thursday.
“I think that our legs were fatigued from the first game and all the pressing we did. We just weren’t sharp today,” said Westmont head coach Jenny Jaggard. “We ended up really having to earn that tie. I’m proud of them for pulling through and getting it, but it was challenging.”
The Warriors found themselves trailing in the 15th minute of play when Mobile converted a penalty kick after a Westmont handball. The Rams almost added to their lead in the 30th minute when they hit the crossbar, only for the ball to bounce into the arms of junior goalkeeper Gabi Haw.
“Getting scored on is what woke us up,” said Jaggard. “It’s frustrating when you need that to motivate you to get going.”
Sophomore midfielder Isabelle Berthoud took advantage of a key moment in the 83rd minute with her second goal of the tournament and fifth of the season, tied for most on the team with her older sister Maddi. A through ball from sophomore midfielder Teagan Matye was intercepted by an onrushing Bauer, but only as far as the younger Berthoud, who deservedly got the Warriors on the scoreboard from just outside the box.
“She knows where to be at the right place,” said Jaggard. “Her timing has just been incredible. She’s done it multiple times this season, it’s not just been in this tournament. She finds ways to be in the right spot when balls bounce out in the box; she’s just right there. She’s a very composed finisher.”
A scoreless final seven minutes of the second half sent the game to overtime, where Westmont outshot Mobile 4-1, but neither side was able to break the deadlock and the two teams were forced to settle for a draw.