Julie Zamzow scored her first career goal for the Raiders
Westmont Defeats Southern Oregon 2-1
BOX SCORE
ASHLAND, Ore. – Southern Oregon scored first, but Westmont tied it right before halftime and scored the eventual game-winner less than four minutes into the second half as the Warriors defeated the Raiders 2-1 Friday afternoon at University Field.
With the loss, Southern Oregon falls to 3-4 this season. Westmont improves to 4-1 with its fourth consecutive victory. Westmont will play Concordia (Ore.) in a neutral-site contest tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at University Field. Southern Oregon returns to action next weekend, when the Raiders face Westminster (Utah) in a neutral-site game in Portland.
“It was a great game to be a part of – two good teams going at it,” SOU head coach Jon Clement said. “I thought we had moments of really good stuff, some of our attacking ideas were top-shelf and our effort was very good.”
Westmont had a couple early shots, but the Raiders struck first when Denise Powell’s shot deflected off Warrior goalkeeper Lindsey Smith and back to Julie Zamzow on the left side of the goal in the 18th minute. Zamzow knocked it in from a few yards out for her first goal of the season and the first of her SOU career.
The Warriors broke through in the 40th minute, when Samantha Kleen took a pass from Kaci Mexico and shot from straight on about 15 yards out past SOU goalkeeper Jessica Kuehlwein. The 1-1 tie remained for less than 10 minutes, with Mexico scoring the deciding goal in the 49th minute after charging in and shooting from close range.
The Raiders had some opportunities late, including four corner kicks in the second half, but the Westmont defense held on for the victory. The Warriors finished with 10 total shots to eight for SOU, with Kuehlwein posting four saves for the Raiders and Lindsey finishing with a pair of saves for Westmont.
“All credit to Westmont,” Clement said. “They have some very good players.”
Southern Oregon has one more matchup before the Raiders begin conference play against Warner Pacific at home. Clement believes the tough competition in non-conference play will serve the team well in the conference season.
“We need to keep our resolve as a team,” Clement said. “We intentionally put together a really difficult schedule because we know we’re capable of playing it, and I think we’re showing that we can and I know the results will come. I’m proud of our group for expressing some very positive moments on the field today.”