California Baptist University
Westmont College (Calif.)
KNOT TO BE
10/27/2007 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Box Score
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- California Baptist head coach Kristen St. Clair had hoped her return to Santa Barbara would be a victorious one.
In the end it wasn't, but the NAIA's No. 17-ranked Lancers scratched and clawed their way to a clutch come-from-behind 1-1 double-overtime draw with unranked Westmont Saturday.
The Lancers' first tie of the season moves them to 12-4-1 overall, 7-2-1 (22 points) GSAC. They finish in sole possession of second place in the NAIA's best soccer conference, and it is their best GSAC finish since 2002 when they tied Westmont for second at 8-1-1.
“Finishing second is a testament to the girls' hard work and fortitude all season,” said St. Clair. “They have had to earn it the hard way, battling through people's pre-conceived notions that this team wouldn't be able to do this well. It is satisfying to finish second in this tough conference.”
The Warriors move to 9-6-2, 6-2-2 (20 points) and finish third.
For five seasons?four as a player and one as an assistant coach?St. Clair spent countless hours on Russ Carr Field when Westmont was in the midst of its run as the NAIA best program. Saturday marked the first time the four-time NAIA All-American was at the field on the opposing bench. Her stay lasted just 61 minutes, though, as the first-year head coach received her first-ever red card, albeit a controversial one for dissent, and was forced to leave the action.
That ejection set up an interesting twist as it brought to the forefront a sibling rivalry on the sideline as St. Clair's assistant, Rob Mouw, was forced to take over and match wits with younger sister, Rebecca, Westmont's third-year head coach.
When St. Clair was dismissed, the Warriors already had a 1-0 lead as Heather Brown cleaned up a mess in the box in the 18th minute, converting one of Westmont's three first-half shots.
For the first time since the season-opening 3-1 win over Oklahoma Baptist, the Lancers fell behind and battled back to get the equalizer. In the 77th minute, Lizzy Bendrick found Jacquelyn Witz, who promptly tucked away her tenth goal of the season. It was the freshman's third straight game in which she has scored.
“The girls responded well after falling behind,” said St. Clair. “We had a difficult time settling the ball and keeping it but eventually tightened things up and created some dangerous chances. We kept our composure and battled hard and got the equalizer and walked away with a point, which is not easy to do at this place.”
The Lancers nearly escaped with three points when they had a great chance in the 86th minute, but Witz's game-winning attempt banged off the post and was cleared from danger. CBU out-shot Westmont, 21-13, on the day, including a 16-9 margin in regulation. It also out-shot the Warriors, 4-1, in the second overtime.
Up next for the Lancers' is their third straight trip to the NAIA Region II Playoffs. Seedings, pairings and first-round locations will be decided Sunday afternoon.
