The first official soccer game at Thorrington Field left fans wanting a little more – specifically, wanting a goal. The Warriors hosted the Spartans of Trinity Western (B.C.) (0-3-1) on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference game and played to a scoreless tie through two overtime periods.
"It was pretty frustrating," acknowledged Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely, "but I think we can learn from it. Last week (in the scrimmage with Santa Barbara City College) we learned we could finish and we saw things to improve on. This game we learned even more.
"We weren't able to penetrate," explained the coach. "With having a great rotation of six players up top, we still haven't been able to find that combination and connection between some of them. I think we will fight for that the next few days and I think we have to figure out our shape in the back. I think our shape has been average. We are letting people run off the ball and run off us. We are not staying committed and disciplined to things we can do well individually on the defensive side of the game."
Westmont's best chance to score came in the eighty-seventh minute when Ashley Correa sent an open shot off the right post.
"She had a chance to put it away," said Kiely. "It was a great combination and I like that she is looking to get in behind and that we are looking to slip the ball through to her. All of that is very good, but we've got to be able to finish it if we are going to do anything in this league."
The Spartans had several chances to score, including two shots in the sixteenth minute at close range by Daniela Gerig. Westmont goalkeeper Roxanne Love blocked the first but Gerig fired again off the rebound. This time, Love punched the ball out of the way for the second of her four saves.
"I think (Trinity Western) is a very good team," said Kiely. "They are very methodical. They played a 4-4-2 really well and (Daniela Gerig) is fantastic. It is good to play against someone like her right now because that is what we are going to face in our league. We have to figure out how to handle that and how to hold off somebody who turns us."
Before classes begin on Monday, the Warriors will make a trip to Salt Lake City to take on Westminster (Utah) on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
