Cougars, Warriors Mud Their Way Through

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- If there wasn't so much at stake, it'd make for a good laugh. However, the NAIA's top 2 teams found themselves battling the elements more than each other, and in the end, Azusa Pacific and Westmont, the NAIA's national champions each of the past 2 years, had to settle for a 1-1 tie in a
mud bath of a GSAC contest.

As a result of the tie, Westmont, which has been ranked No. 1 in the NAIA all season, holds the upper hand for home field advantage throughout the coming playoffs. In order for the
Cougars to steal that advantage, they'll need to win their 4 remaining GSAC contests and then get help from some other conference foe against Westmont.

A 40-minute rain shortly before the start of the game piled more water on top of an already soggy Carr Field, setting an awkward stage for the top game in the NAIA this season.

Interestingly, both teams took advantage of the conditions in the early going. Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, scored first when Chrissy Sanford headed a perfectly-placed Kendra Payne cross in the fifth minute. However, less than 8 minutes later, Westmont answered when Janel Kaden converted a 25-yard free kick that slipped through the hands of Cougar keeper
Melissa Strother. From there, the 2 teams settled into the mud and played 107 minutes of scoreless soccer.

Westmont had the only shot in the first overtime. However, in the second overtime, the Cougars had 3 shots, including 2 in the final minute that required nifty saves from Warrior keeper Kristen St. Clair, who blocked a Payne shot from 15 yards out that would have won the game.

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Players Mentioned

Melissa Strother: GK; 5' 10"; Freshman

#13 Kendra Payne: F; 5' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Melissa Strother
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: GK

#13 Kendra Payne
: 5' 5"; Senior
: F

Players Mentioned

Melissa Strother

#13 Kendra Payne

Players Mentioned

Melissa Strother

#13 Kendra Payne