Saturday, November 12, 2022

Bellingham, Wash. – Western Washington took a 1-0 victory over Point Loma in the postseason for the second time in two years to advance to the third round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships.

After winning the GNAC title, the No. 2 seed Vikings came into Saturday’s match well rested off a first-round bye. Point Loma came into the match as the No. 3 seed after beating Sonoma State at Harrington Field in Bellingham to advance to the second round against host Western Washington.

The first half featured a handful of dangerous scoring chances for both sides with the shots finishing 4-4 at the end of the first 45 minutes. While the offense was able to generate some opportunities, the pace of play was largely dictated by the defenses. Both teams came into the match having not allowed a goal since October 27. Freshman defender Asia Hardin and junior defender Katie Watt both anchored the Vikings’ defense, logging all 90 minutes of the shutout on the back line. One of the biggest moments of the first half for WWU came when Hardin blocked a shot that was heading dangerously to the back of the Vikings’ net from close range.

Western Washington came into the second half looking sharper than the Sea Lions and generated several runs in the attacking half in the opening minutes. Those attacking efforts paid off in the 49th minute when junior forward Estera Levinte and freshman forward Claire Potter broke down Point Loma’s back line on a ball that was floated in over the defense. Potter got her head on the ball, sending it across the goal mouth to Levinte who tucked it home for the game-winner before getting mobbed by her teammates.

The Vikings’ defense proceeded to lock down the Point Loma offense and extended their streak to five-matches without surrendering a goal. Senior goalkeeper Claire Henninger played recorded six saves for her 10th shutout of the season.

With No. 1 seed in the west Hawaii Hilo falling to Concordia, the Vikings will host the Golden Eagles for the third round of the tournament with more details to come.