By Ron Smith
August 8, 2017
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) A goal by senior forward Jackie Lopez tied up the traditional early season exhibition match-up between Westmont Women's Soccer and UC Santa Barbara in the 55th minute on Wednesday night at Harder Stadium. However, the Warriors were unable to stave off the Gaucho offense in the final 13 minutes and dropped the game by a score of 3-1.
 
Lopez was set up for the goal by sophomore Maddi Berthoud who passed to the middle of the pitch from the right side. Berthoud's pass allowed Lopez to get off an uncontested shot from just outside the box.
 
"Maddi did a really good job dribbling," said Lopez regarding the scoring play. "She baited the defender in and I tried to make the run so she could slip me through. She gave me a perfect ball in. I just had to touch it and put it in the net."
 
Lopez nearly put the Warriors up 1-0 in the 27th minute on a shot from 35 yards out that was ticketed to slip into the goal just under the crossbar. However, a full-extension save by Gaucho goalkeeper Brittney Rogers kept the ball out of the net.
 
"I got the ball and I noticed I didn't have many of my teammates up top with me," described Lopez. "I was dribbling at the back line and saw that their keeper was off her line a little bit. So, I just decided to take the shot."
 
"Jackie played like a senior tonight," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "I couldn't be happier that she was able to score. I think she led well in the front line. The opportunities she created were realistic and she put one away."
 
Despite the loss, both Lopez and her coach were pleased with the team's performance.
 
"In Harder Stadium, under the lights, is always the best way for us to start the season," said Cappuccilli. "Having an opportunity to compete against a great (NCAA) Division I opponent like UCSB sets the tone for the season. It's a competitive match for both sides and I'm glad we get to do this every year. There were a lot of positive takeaways from tonight."
 
"I think we looked good," pronounced Lopez. "We have a really good team and a good idea of what we want to do. We love to play possession. We love to play the Barcelona style. We are going to build off this game. Despite the results, we thought we handled them really well and worked hard for each other.
 
"I felt the most confident I've ever felt playing UCSB," continued Lopez. "I think we played well. Getting a goal was a good way to end my last time to play UCSB."
 
The Gauchos put up the first goal in the 40th minute when Cate Post collected a ball from teammate Colby Parker and lobbed the ball into the goal.
 
Down 1-0 at halftime, the Warriors came out strong in the second half, maintaining possession and putting the Gauchos back on their heels.
 
Three minutes after Lopez' goal evened the score, a shot by freshman Savannah Scott nearly put the Warriors ahead. From near the left touchline, Berthoud found freshman Maddie Scott in the middle of the field. Scott fired a lazar from about 22 yards out that ricocheted off Gaucho keeper Maddie Julian. Lopez gave chase to recover the loose ball, however Julian recovered quickly secured the ball before Lopez could get off another shot.
 
In the 68th minute, Destinee Adams took another shot from the top of the box, but this time Julian was able to hold on to the ball to prevent the score.
 
"On any given day, when we're playing an opponent's 4-3-3 against our 4-3-3, we have the ability to maintain (the ball) and out-possess teams. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, I believe our team has that ability. I think that showed this evening, especially in the second half."
 
The Gauchos quelled the Warriors' second-half threat with a pair of quick goals in the 78th and 80th minutes. Shaelan Murison made the score 2-1 when she volleyed a cross from Christine Mauer into the net. Moments later, Mallory Hromatko picked up a loose ball and shot from the top of the box to score the final goal of the game.
 
Reflecting on her career as a Warrior, Lopez offered, "I have learned so much from this team during the past four years. I've done things on this team I never thought I would do. I've gotten out of my comfort zone. I've travelled to Africa and I've helped the community more than I could ever imagine. It's really helped me to become a better person."
 
On Friday, the Warriors will welcome the Mustangs of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to Thorrington Field for a scrimmage. Westmont's official season opener will come during a road trip to Kansas. On Saturday, August 19, the Warriors will take on Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe. Then on Monday, August 21, Westmont take the pitch against the Raven's of Benedictine in Atchison.