California Baptist University
Lee University (Tenn.)
A HEAD ABOVE THE BEST
8/30/2009 2:45:00 AM | Women's Soccer
AZUSA, Calif. --- Welcome to your place in California Baptist University women's soccer history Kitra Walters.
In just her third collegiate game, the freshman holding midfielder rose to the challenge and above everyone heading home her first career goal with three minutes left in double-overtime to lift the NAIA's No. 8-ranked Lancers to a stunning and thrilling, 1-0, upset of No. 1 and defending national champion Lee (Tenn.) on a scorching Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Classic hosted by Azusa Pacific.
"That was amazing," said Walters. "I've never done that in my life-score a winning goal the defending national champions, so it's a pretty cool feeling. This win shows us that we are headed in the right direction, but we're not yet where we want to be."
The win is the Lancers' first-ever over a No. 1-ranked team, and it snaps the Flames' 19-game winning streak dating back to Sept. 24, 2008 when they last lost to Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).
With the win, the Lancers improve to 3-0 and put the finishing touches on an impressive weekend that is sure to open the eyes of everyone around the country with wins over the NAIA's No. 1-ranked and No. 3-ranked teams.
Lee, meanwhile, falls to 1-1.
As if Thursday's 3-1 win over No. 3 Lindsey Wilson weren't big enough, the Lancers did one better today.
"We knew that we belong at this level and can play with the best, and the girls had an opportunity to prove it on the field against the defending national champions," said CBU Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. "Most teams dream of situations like this, but it certainly isn't the pinnacle of our season. Our ultimate goal is to vie for a national championship, and this is a positive step towards being able to do that."
On a day where thick smoke from a wildfire hovered over the San Gabriel Mountains in the background and temperatures soaring above 100 degrees desperately wanted to dictate the game's tempo, Lee and CBU went toe-to-toe in a well-played, fast-paced game that generated a combined 28 shots. It was a game more suited for the national tournament in December than one in the first weeks of the season. Either way, it was a thriller.
"Lee was the only team left standing last year, and they are a good team and have loads of experience," said St. Clair. "It took us awhile to get our rhythm, but once we did, it became a great game on both sides of the ball. It went back and forth and was very fast. It was probably the fastest game we've had so far."
The Flames, who defeated No. 4 Azusa Pacific, 1-0, on Thursday, came out swinging today firing at CBU keeper Emily Evanson right from the outset. Three of Evanson's five first-half saves came in the first 16 minutes, but Evanson and the Lancer defense kept Lee off the board, and once the Lancers settled in, the momentum began to swing.
CBU controlled much of the possession in the second half and generated the more dangerous chances. The Lancers nearly broke through in the 69th minute, but the Lee defense saved a sure goal off the line and then Lee keeper Leah Wilson made a diving save of an Eva Solis shot off the rebound. Seconds later, Jacquelyn Witz appeared to sneak by Wilson on a breakaway, but the freshman keeper was able to nick the ball across the end line instead, and the Lancers had to settle for one of their four corner kicks.
The Lancers out-shot the Flames, 15-13, for the game and had a 9-6 advantage after the intermission. Wilson saved six of those nine shots, including four of the Lancers' five second-half tries.
Since 90 minutes weren't enough to determine a winner, the teams headed to overtime where again the Lee defense came to the rescue saving a Kylee Nicassio shot off the line just 2:33 into the extra time. Wilson then saved Nicassio's attempt off the ensuing rebound, and the teams played on.
Nicassio, who scored twice against Lindsey Wilson, was a thorn in the Flames' side all day, ripping off seven shots. With time winding down, she received the ball on the left side of the field near the Lancer bench and promptly served a ball just inside the 18-yard box. With Wilson coming off her line, an onrushing Walters, who ran all the way in from near midfield rose up and headed the ball over Wilson and All-American defender Linn Christensen and into the net for the winner sending the Lancer bench into a jubilant celebration on the field.
"The girls kept their composure, and their performance was good," said St. Clair. "They did a great job closing it out, and really it is a tribute to their effort and preparation. They were presented with an excellent opportunity and they grabbed a hold of it and ran with it."
