It was a game filled with lots of action, but no scoring as #3 Westmont Women's Soccer and Biola battled to a scoreless tie on Saturday night in La Mirada in a Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament. The Warriors (9-0-2, 3-0-1 GSAC) tallied 20 shots, 10 on goal, while the Eagles (7-4-1, 1-2-1) put up 13 shots, two of which were on goal.
"It was a good game," said Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely. "I think this is what college soccer is about. Certainly there was some frustration, but it was exciting, a fun environment and a good game. Obviously, to have two shots cleared off the line, one hit the cross bar and two one-vs-one opportunities with the keeper that we missed, were unfortunate and frustrating."
The first half was a defensive struggle with both teams proving to be stingy at allowing scoring opportunities for the other.
"We knew going into the game that they would be physical and aggressive and we needed to move the ball quickly," said Kiely. "We made some adjustments at half time and did a much better job of keeping the ball and getting it forward from that point on. Our midfield was fantastic."
In the opening frame, Westmont took just five shots to Biola's three. In the second half, however, the Warriors outshot the Eagles 11-5.
"Lindsey Smith didn't have to make any spectacular saves, but when we needed her, she came up big," said Kiely of her senior goalkeeper.
Smith has allowed just four goals this season and produced 25 saves behind a stalwart defense. Through the first 11 games of the season, Smith has recorded a sterling goals-against-average of 0.38.
In other GSAC action, #6 Vanguard (10-1, 3-1) posted a 7-0 win over host Arizona Christian (2-10, 0-4) and The Master's (11-1, 3-1) won at home 2-0 over Hope International (2-7-3, 0-3-1). Sixteenth ranked Concordia (9-0-2, 4-0) posted a 2-0 win over San Diego Christian (6-4-1, 0-3-1).
Concordia, who sits atop the GSAC standings with 12 points in the standings, will be Westmont's next opponent. On Tuesday, the Warriors, who are in second place with 10 points, will host the Eagles at 3:00 p.m. on Thorrington Field.
