SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Carroll College women's soccer team fell in overtime, on the road to No. 10 Westmont 2-1 in the Opening round of the NAIA Championship Saturday afternoon.
 
The Saints controlled the pace of the game early and scored first. Cassidy Hammons scored a goal in the 18th minute to give Carroll the 1-0 lad with an assist from Michaela Kueffler. Just 90 seconds later, the Warriors equalized on a header of of a corner kick.  
 
Carroll had seven shots to eight for the Warriors before the break.
 
Carroll had an opportunity again take the lead in the 37th minute when the Saints were fouled in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Talya Vaira stepped up to take the shot but her kick was high and the score remained 1-1 at halftime.
 
"Anyone who is willing to step up and take that PK in a playoff game shows a lot of heart and guts," head coach David Thorvilson said. "Talya was the one that was willing to take the PK. It is a difficult situation and it didn't work out but the team and I would trust her to take it again.
 
The second half was a Westmont onslaught. The Warriors out shot Carroll 11-4 but Jamie Carter came through big for the Saints like she has for four seasons.
 
"Jamie showed why she is best goalkeepers in the country," Thorvilson said. "Playing a big physical team on the road is a tall task. When they stepped the pressure up, they really put their foot on the pedal and Jamie made some big saves."
 
The Saints survived the second half setting up overtime. The Warriors continued the pressure, almost scoring on their first push of the overtime. Just over two minutes into the extra period, Westmont's Haley Parzonko found pay dirt from 18-yards out. The game-winner ended Carroll's season while Westmont will advance to Orange Beach, Alabama, to the NAIA Championship Final Site.
 
"Obviously you never want to see your season, end but we left absolutely everything on the field," Thorvilson said. "It was an unbelievable game to be a part of. A team had to lose and we were the unlucky to be the team to fall against a very good team on the road.
 
"I don't think Westmont expected a team from Helena, Montana, to come play soccer at their level and it turned into quite the battle."