Williams scores in 88th minute to lift TMU Women's Soccer to road win

There's a reason Curtis Lewis scheduled a two-game visit to Foley, Ala., this week. 

Lewis, head coach of The Master's University women's soccer team, has led the Mustangs to the final site of the NAIA tournament three times. The two most recent occasions took place in southern Alabama, and both times the Mustangs came away empty-handed. 

Lewis said he hoped two regular-season games in Foley, the home of this year's national championship, would prepare the Mustangs to win there when the stakes are higher.  

So far, so good. 

Payton Williams scored in the 88th minute to lift the Mustangs to a 1-0 win over the University of Mobile on Monday.

The game was played on Foley Sports Tourism Championship Field — located roughly seven miles from the Orange Beach Sportsplex, the usual home of the NAIA tournament's final site. Foley will host the championship this year due to construction in Orange Beach. 

Of course, none of that crossed Williams' mind as she lined up for a free kick from just outside Mobile's penalty box in the closing minutes of a scoreless game. 

Lewis instructs his players to put free kicks on frame, placing pressure on the keeper and potentially setting up teammates to make a play. Williams blasted a shot high across the face of the goal from left to right, the ball skipping off the outstretched hand of the goalie and into the net. 

"I felt so much relief and excitement for the team and myself," Williams said, "and I was praising the Lord that my shot was low and on-frame because I have a tendency to kick it over all the time."

It was the second time in as many games that Williams has factored into a dramatic Mustangs' win. On Jan. 16, TMU overcame a 2-0 deficit to earn a tie with OUAZ, the final goal coming when Williams booted a free kick that covered roughly 40 yards before landing in the Spirit's penalty area. Elizabeth Radmilovich knocked the ball into the net to complete the play. 

This time Williams received a helping hand — if indirectly — from Kate Lawrence. TMU earned the deciding free kick when Lawrence aggressively jumped for a header and was fouled from behind. 

"We wouldn't have had that opportunity if it weren't for Kate fighting to get the ball," Williams said. 

The Mustangs played a sloppy first half but cleaned things up considerably after the break, connecting more passes and limiting Mobile's opportunities.

The Rams attempted 10 shots to TMU's seven, but just four over the game's final 45 minutes.  

Anay Garcia, making her second start at goalie for TMU, made three saves, earning her first career shutout. 

Lewis said the Mustangs (1-0-1) will have to play a more complete game Wednesday when they return to Foley for a neutral match against William Carey University at 9 a.m. PST. William Carey, based in Hattiesburg, Miss., finished No. 3 in the final NAIA poll last season. 

"We can't have a slow start or they'll punish us," said Lewis. 

Interested in playing one of 17 intercollegiate sports offered at TMU? Fill out a recruiting questionnaire!