LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Spalding women's soccer team's season came to an end on Thursday in a 3-2 defeat against Westminster College at Champions Trace. The first-ever postseason match for the Golden Eagles was one of twists and turns but the Blue Jays were able to come out on top and will face Webster University on Saturday for the SLIAC Championship.
Things started out well for the Golden Eagles, as they were able to keep the Blue Jays scoreless throughout the entirety of the first half while missing one of their key defenders in Demi West due to injury. In the 42nd minute things got even better for Spalding as Lauren Locke put a cross into the 18-yard box and Madison Ratchford was able to head it in for the games first goal. The score would remain 1-0 into the halftime break.
The second half was fast paced with the Blue Jays coming out firing. Westminster was able to take a 2-1 lead with two goals in a seven-minute span, the first by Tayisah Pohtos and the second by Courtney Whitlock.
Their lead wouldn't last long as the Golden Eagles were able to bounce back and swing the momentum back into their favor as Baylee Tabler was able to find the back of the net off a cross by Madison Ratchford evening the score at two-apiece.
Less than two minutes later Westminster regained the lead 3-2 as Courtney Whitlock found the back of the net a second time on a breakaway for the Blue Jays. Whitlock would miss her first shot attempt that went off the post and right back to her for the put back goal.
Spalding fought hard to find more chances but the Westminster defense held tough, as Dee Dee Sliter couldn't escape for an open look at the goal. The best chance for the Golden Eagles came in the 86th minute as Tabler was able to find open space but her shot sailed high over the goal.
Westminster outshot Spalding 15-10 with Kelsey Kaiser making nine saves including her second consecutive penalty kick save in as many games. The Blue Jays outshot the Golden Eagles 11-3 in the second half. The Golden Eagles end the season 10-5-2 overall while the Blue Jays improved to 10-6-1 with at least one game remaining..
