OLATHE, Kan. -- The No. 5-seeded Lindsey Wilson College women's soccer team's reign as NAIA national champions came to an end this afternoon with a 2-0 loss to Westmont (Calif.) College in the second round of the 22nd NAIA Women's National Soccer Tournament.

The Blue Raiders' season ends with a record of 16-5-1.
Lindsey Wilson controlled much of the play in the first half, out-shooting the Warriors 7-3 in the first 45 minutes. Aided by a 20 mph wind, the Blue Raiders had a pair chances to dent the scoreboard in the first half.

Lindsey Wilson junior forwards Hishamar Falconer and Jill Lirbank-Almbaek each had chances deep inside the penalty area but were turned away by Westmont goalkeeper Emaila Cornwell. Cornwell ended the game with five saves.

Westmont had one legitimate scoring chance in the opening half when Warrior midfielder Jane Wyche booted the ball toward the upper right corner of the goal. Lindsey Wilson freshman keeper Mia Moeller batted the ball just over the cross bar for the save. She ended the afternoon with four saves.

Lindsey Wilson and Westmont remained tied at 0-0 at the half.

In the second half, Westmont turned the tables controlling most of the offensive play, thanks in large part to the gusting wind. Westmont out-shot the Blue Raiders 13-7 in the final half.

Less than four minutes into second half the Warriors grabbed a 1-0 lead on forward Amy Lawson's 10th goal of the season. Lawson, standing just in front of the goal, headed in a rebound following a shot by Wyche that ricocheted off Moeller's chest.

Westmont and Lindsey Wilson exchanged scoring chances over the next 35 minutes, but both teams were just off the mark.

In the match's 85th minute, Lawson sealed the win with her second goal of the match. Lawson stole the ball away from Lindsey Wilson junior midfielder Marie Gallagher at the center line and dribbled into the penalty area where she passed Moeller for the insurance goal. Lawson's goal, her 11th of the season, gave the Warriors the 2-0 lead.

Lindsey Wilson had a pair of chances in the final five minutes but was unable to find the net.

The match-up was the fourth time in five seasons LWC and Westmont have met with the season on the line. Last year, LWC defeated Westmont in the second round of the NAIA national tournament en route to winning the 2004 national title.

With the win, No. 12-seed Westmont advances to Saturday's quarterfinals match against Houghton (N.Y.) College.

"I thought we played very hard, but they were just a little more physical and that proved to be the difference," LWC women's soccer coach Drew Burwash said. "We caught some breaks last season (en route to the national championship) and this year we didn't (catch the breaks).

"We learn from this loss like any other loss," he said. "But obviously this one hurts a little more. We return the majority of our team back next year and I fully expect us to make another run in 2006."