Ramirez goal lifts Hawks past Westmont in OT

Special to EastCountySports.com

SANTEE – After surrendering a two-goal lead, the San Diego Christian Men’s Soccer team fought back and found the answer in overtime to defeat Westmont 3-2 in OT Wednesday.

The Hawks win their GSAC opener and improve to 6-3 overall. The Warriors fall to 3-3-1 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.

Borja Suarez started the scoring in the 35th minute. A dangerous pass back was interrupted by Suarez and Sebastian Carrion and the challenge gave way to Suarez’s breakaway goal.

In the 37th minute, the Hawks struck again. Joseph Fortini fled the left side of the field and crossed the ball to Carrion who placed his shot in the right corner of the goal for a 2-0 SDC lead just before half.

The Hawks and Warriors both tallied six shots in the opening frame. SDC keeper Ryan Huerta registered two saves.

In the 57th minute, the Warriors started to mount their comeback. Asher Booth found Blake Joyner at the top of the box. Joyner took a touch and slid it past a diving Huerta for the goal cutting SDC’s lead in half.

Compiling on the pressure, Westmont leveled the game in the 81st minute. The Hawks had a chance before time expired but Francisco Ramirez‘s shot was saved in the 88th minute.

Ramirez got another shot in OT making the most of the opportunity with the first shot of the extra frame. Suarez passed the ball to Ramirez who was sitting at the six yard box and booted the game-winner just 1:41 into OT.

The Warriors outshot the Hawks 18-12. Huerta finished with five saves in the 91 minutes.

SDC will travel to La Mirada and face Biola on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.