Nov. 19, 2005

OLATHE, Kan. - Westmont College (Calif.) scored two goals in the second half for a 3-2 victory against fourth-seeded Houghton College (N.Y.) to become the lowest seed to qualify for the semifinals at the 2005 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.  The tournament is being played at the College Boulevard Activity Center.

Houghton got on the scoreboard first with a goal by Heidi Toth off a corner kick (Kowalcyzk, Fowlkes) at the 12:21 mark.  Westmont responded six minutes later when Brianna Russo scored an unassisted goal to tie the game for the first half.

Westmont exploded for two more goals after intermission, the first of which came in the 58^th minute when Amy Lawson beat two defenders and fired at the far post for her 12^th score of the season.  Jane Wyche scored off a header for the Warriors again at 62:34 to raise the score to 3-1.  Anna Gropp was credited with the assist.

Houghton was on the offensive when a Westmont defender deflected a crossing pass into her own goal for a 3-2 game in the closing minutes.  Houghton would not score again and finished the season with a 20-1-1 record for the year.  Megan Radimer recorded three saves and gave up three goals for the Highlanders.

Westmont earns the distinction of becoming the lowest seed to play in a semifinal game since seeds were introduced in 2000.  The Warriors, in their tournament 12^th appearance, have advanced to this round six times, winning the national title each of those times.  Westmont (11-3-3) will face top-seeded Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) (22-1-0) on Monday, November 21 at 6 p.m. (Central).

Scoring Summary:    

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Box Score