By Ron Smith
October 11, 2018
 
(FULLERTON, Calif.) In a Golden State Athletic Conference game contested at Fullerton College, the Warriors of #11 Westmont (9-1-2, 2-1-1 GSAC) played to a 1-1 tie with the Royals of Hope International (6-5-1, 1-2-1).
 
"I would say today that collectively we did not show up," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "There were individuals who hustled – some for 90 minutes and some for the amount of time they were in the game. Overall, however, the collective performance needed to be a lot better in order to find a result today."
 
The tie extended beyond just the goals scored. Both teams took nine shots. Both teams placed six of those shots on goal. Both teams recorded one assist. Both teams tallied five saves.
 
The Warriors found themselves in a 1-0 hole when Angelical Flores scored for the Royals in the 18th minute.
 
"We lost the ball in the middle of the field," described Cappuccilli. "They countered and got numbers in behind our back line. Flores took a great first touch and set herself up for the finish."
 
The Royals maintained their lead until just after halftime when Teagan Matye fed a ball to Maddi Berthoud in the 48th minute.
 
"Teagan found herself turning and facing forward, then running at their back line," said Cappuccilli. "Maddi timed her run into the box and snuck it in, front post. It was a simple build-up, but that was all we needed. Maddi and Teagan were tremendous in the middle of the field. They brought a great energy and work rate that really helped us.
 
"For a good portion of the game, I had six freshmen on the field. We rotated Valerie Swisher, Eliya Lowe and Katie Stella into our front three. That was the difference maker in our being able to come away with a tie. They did a phenomenal amount of work, which is what we needed in this game."
 
Shots were scarce in the first overtime period with each team taking just one. Maddy Cuculich fired away on a free kick for the Warriors that went high in the 92nd minute. Avila Gissel took a shot for the Royals in the 97th minute that went off the crossbar.
 
In the second overtime, Swisher had a shot on goal in the 101st minute. Hailey Parker took aim in the 109th minute but had her shot go off the crossbar. The Royals did not get off a shot in the second overtime.
 
"When we went into overtime, Alexx Hamilton did a great job of being gritty and competing," said Cappuccilli. "That was what we needed on the defensive end to come away with a tie."
 
The Warriors return to Santa Barbara to prepare for Saturday's match-up with #23 The Master's (10-3-1, 3-1) as part of Homecoming festivities. Kick-off is scheduled for noon.