Box Score BOX SCORE

SALT LAKE CITY – It took an additional nine minutes, but the Westminster women's soccer team defeated Northwest Nazarene 1-0 in the home opener for the first win of the season. Westminster is now 3-1 all-time in home openers and has twice gone to overtime in the home debut. They are also 15-6-2 in games played on Dumke Field in the four years of the program.

Westminster (1-1-1) failed to tally on any of the 12 shots in regulation only to see Sarah Swenson finish a through ball from Lisa Johnson that skipped past the keeper for the game winner in the 99th minute. The goal snapped a 431 minute scoring drought for the Griffins dating back to last season. The goal was the seventh career goal for Swenson and her sixth career game winner.

The Griffins played on the attack much of the afternoon while attempting 15 shots in the game. They forced Northwest Nazarene (0-1-0) into five saves and created 10 corner kicks. Westminster committed eight fouls to the five by NNU and held the visitors to just seven shots.

Nicole Taylor attempted a game-high four shots and put two on frame. Jessica Harris recorded three shots off the Griffin bench and Swenson put each of her shot attempts on goal. The assist by Johnson was just the second of her career. Westminster keeper Lindsay Bekken posted her second consecutive shutout while recording five saves. She has not allowed a goal in the last 315 minutes played.

Sarah Staropoli led NNU with three shots while putting them all on target. Stacey Beckman recorded two shots off the bench. Tanya Zickefoose made five saves between the pipes for the Crusaders. This game counts as an exhibition for NNU.

Westminster returns to action on Saturday, August 28 when they welcome Westmont College to Dumke Field with first kick slated for noon.