HELENA, Mont. – When it comes to NAIA women's soccer programs there aren't very many that stack up against the history of Westmont. The Warriors have five national titles in their illustrious history and facilities to match the beautiful setting of the seaside city of Santa Barbara, California.
 
Carroll College is back in the NAIA tournament for the second-consecutive season after winning back-to-back Cascade Conference titles. It is the fifth trip to the tournament for the Saints who will face the Warriors in the opening round Saturday in Santa Barbara.
 
Despite the long and successful histories at both schools, the two programs have never met in on the pitch.
 
"It is hard to know what to expect from a team you have never played against," Carroll head coach Dave Thorvilson said. "We have no history with them. We know they are a team that is in a tough conference. They have a great offense that can score multiple goals and a very stingy defense. Their history is impressive and something we have to respect."
 
The Saints made the trek to Billings late Wednesday night so the players wouldn't miss class and flew out of the Magic City early Thursday morning. Weather caused delays just like last season's Trek to Spring Arbor, but Thorvilson believes his team is better equipped to handle the adversity.
 
"It was an interesting journey for us," Thorvilson said. "On the way to Billings we hit snow on Bozeman Pass all the way through to Billings. Then we got about three hours of sleep and had to get up to get to the airport for an early flight. It took 40 minutes to de-ice the plane and we had 15 minutes to get to our plane in Denver but we made it and our bags made it so we can't complain too much. The experience of last year makes us a bit more comfortable this year. Despite the difficulties, we are focused and ready to go."
 
The Warriors are 15-3-2 on the year and closed out Golden State Athletic Conference play with a 7-2-1 record. Chantel Cappuccilli is in her second year at the helm. After missing the tournament in her first season, she has the Warriors back in the tournament.
 
Westmont has scored a stellar 72 goals on the year, led by Brooke Lillywhite with 20, including eight multiple-goal games. Haley Parzonk has 10 goals on the season and Maddi Berthoud has 11 goals.
 
Amber Rojas has allowed just 11 goals on the season for a .580 goal against average. She has nine shutouts on the year.
 
Carroll has allowed just nine goals on the year and senior goalkeeper Jamie Carter has a goal against average of .400. The Saints have 14 shutouts as a team. Offensively, Carroll has 27 goals on the year, led by Michaela Kueffler with nine.
 
Kueffler and Carter are two of eight seniors that will be on the pitch for the Saints. For Carter, the three-time conference player of the year, she wants to keep playing.
 
"Going into to this game, we have to be absolutely focused," Carter said. "Right now this game is do or die so we are going to give everything we have. This could be our last game. We've all played soccer for so long, if it all was over tomorrow it would be devastating."
 
The Saints have not lost a game since August and Carter would love to see that streak continue.
 
"Once we got our feet under us, our season has been great," Carter said. "Everyone has contributed to our success and we have met every goal we have set for ourselves so far. We have another one to meet tomorrow."
 
Thorvilson echoed the sentiments of Carter.
 
"The seniors want their season last as long as they can," he said. 'Westmont is standing in their way of their next goal. They are excited and look to make the most of the opportunity."
 
The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST Live stats will be available via Dakstats. Live video will be available via Westmont's Stretch Internet Portal.