Westminster improved to 3-0 on the season Saturday, defeating Palm Beach Atlantic 13-10 at PBA SoccerLax Field in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Griffins built a commanding lead through three quarters before holding off a late Sailfish surge to secure the victory.

Game Breakdown

First Quarter

Westminster wasted no time getting on the board, as Ridge Crouch opened the scoring at the 13:17 mark with the game's first goal. Less than two minutes later, Luke Sillstrop extended the lead to 2-0 with an assist from Harrison Edwards. Palm Beach Atlantic answered when Jackson Trevaskiss scored on a man-up opportunity at 8:28 to make it 2-1, but Tate Craig restored the two-goal cushion with a tally assisted by Cam Conti at 3:59. The Sailfish pulled back within one again when Donovan O'Toole scored unassisted at 3:22, sending the teams into the second quarter with Westminster leading 3-2.

Second Quarter

The Griffins exploded in the second quarter, outscoring Palm Beach Atlantic 5-1 to take commanding control. Duke DeVault opened the period with a man-up goal at 11:54 — one of two extra-man opportunities that period — to make it 4-2. Crouch then added his second of the game at 10:58, assisted by Sillstrop, before Daxton Jensen scored unassisted at 9:05 to push the lead to 6-2. Xavier Monteiro, assisted by Rhett Rice, made it 7-2 at 6:57. O'Toole got one back for PBA at 6:31, but DeVault answered again at 5:36, assisted by Boden Laforce, to send Westminster into halftime with an 8-3 advantage.

Third Quarter

Westminster continued to pull away in the third, outscoring the Sailfish 5-2. Noah Zimmerman got PBA on the board first at 13:32, but the Griffins responded with five unanswered. DeVault scored his third goal of the game at 7:23 (assisted by Edwards), Ryan Pontillo converted at 5:40 (assisted by Craig), Drew Grau added one at 5:04 (assisted by Cale Gunter), and Camden Stanley scored unassisted at 3:13. Craig capped the run at 2:24 with an assist from Crouch to push the score to 13-4. Zimmerman scored his second of the night at 1:10 to close the quarter at 13-5.

Fourth Quarter

Westminster went scoreless in the fourth quarter, while Palm Beach Atlantic mounted a late rally. Zimmerman completed his hat trick at 11:22, and PBA scored five goals in the period from Dominic Barnshaw, Patrick Law, Cooper Porter, and Lucas Sharrer (with Zimmerman adding an assist) to cut the deficit to 13-10. Westminster's defense held firm enough to preserve the win.

Griffin Performances

Duke DeVault led all scorers with 3 goals and 3 points on 5 shots, adding 1 ground ball on the day.

Ridge Crouch turned in a strong all-around performance with 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points to go along with 8 shots and 3 ground balls.

Tate Craig matched that production with 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points on 4 shots, while Luke Sillstrop contributed 1 goal, 1 assists, and 3 points, adding 8 shots and 4 ground balls.

Harrison Edwards was a key facilitator with 2 assists and 2 points, also collecting 3 shots and 5 ground balls. Daxton Jensen, Xavier Monteiro, Drew Grau, Camden Stanley, and Ryan Pontillo each added 1 goal and 1 point to round out the Westminster attack.

In goal, Christian Jones earned the win, playing 51:55 and making 13 saves, while Cade Conahey came on in relief for the final 8:05, recording 1 save. Westminster dominated on ground balls 55-33.

Up Next

Westminster UT continues road action as the Griffins look to push their record to 4-0.