box score | 60 seconds with Katie Pedlowe | 60 second's with Coach Hall | photos

DECATUR, Ala. – Point Loma Nazarene overcame the cold, mud, a listless first half and Westmont in a NAIA Second Round Match on Tuesday. Tied 2-2 after two overtimes, the fifth-seed Sea Lions advance to the quarterfinals on penalty kicks, 2-1.


The thermometer dipped into the mid-30s during the matchup with GSAC foe Westmont. To make matters worse, field conditions at the Jack Allen Recreational Complex were awful due to the steady rain that had fallen since Saturday.

Mud and near freezing temperatures were the least of PLNU's problems. Westmont, the only team to deal a loss to the Sea Lions this year before losing to Loma in the GSAC semifinals, were ready for Tuesday's rubber match.

The Warriors totally controlled the first 45 minutes of play outshooting the Sea Lions 9-0. Only fortune and three saves by Tiffany Kracy kept WC off the board entering the break.

PLNU took to the sloppy pitch in the second half with much more enthusiasm and determination. Five minutes into the half Erica Wessels took advantage of a loose ball in front to the Warrior box and does what she has a knack for -- finding the net. The defender's goal gave the Sea Lions a 1-0 lead.

That advantage lasted just one minute.

Westmont went right down the field and Aolani Rueff evened the contest with a goal.

In minute 63, Sea Lion Kallie Caldwell sent in a corner that splashed around a group of PLNU and Westmont players. Wessels was there once again and sent in her team-high 11th goal of the year.

Wessel's score looked like it was going to hold up but the Warriors weren't through and in the 85th minute tied the score after a top-shelf goal from Jenny Martinez.

Regulation expired, sending the match into overtime and then a second overtime. The two sides had opportunities – the Warriors just missed on one with seconds remaining -- but neither side could finish.

After 110 minutes of play, it would come down to a shootout.

That's when things got really interesting.

Unbelievably, the two teams each missed on their first three PK attempts. The Warriors finally found paydirt on their fourth attempt. Kaycie Hanlin answered for PLNU to even the PKs 1-1.

Kracy turned back Westmont's fifth try (all four of WC's misses were deflected by Kracy), setting up Katie Pedlowe and PLNU's fifth shot. Pedlowe delivered on the decisive attempt and sent the Sea Lions to the NAIA quarterfinals in the process.

Westmont (13-6-1) outshot PLNU 21-10 as well as having a 12-6 shots on goal advantage. Kracy notched 10 saves to keep her team in the match.

The Sea Lions improved to 19-1-3 on the year and will face Baker (Kan.) Wednesday at 4:00 pm (CST). The No. 13-ranked Wildcats defeated Martin Methodist 1-0 on Monday and enter the match with a 15-3-1 mark.