SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Reese Davidson struck with a penalty kick in the 70th minute for the lone goal in No. 8-ranked Westmont (Calif.)'s 1-0 win over Southern Oregon on Thursday at Thorrington Field, spoiling keeper Jessie Selby's excellent season-opening performance.
Selby picked up nine saves – four in the first half, five in the second – to keep the Raiders close despite some lopsided shot totals. She guessed right on Davidson's PK, too, but the kick beat her to the right-pocket spot.
The Warriors, who appeared in last year's NAIA national quarterfinal round, had advantages of 23-7 in shots and 10-2 in shots on goal. Their keeper, Kailey Meyer, denied Madison Childers and Malaika Quigley from converting SOU's only on-target attempts.
Westmont also won 1-0 in last year's non-conference matchup against SOU, avenging the Raiders' 2-1 win in 2019 that marked their first over a top-25 opponent in nine years.
SOU continues its road trip on Saturday at The Master's (Calif.).