By Ron Smith
October 20, 2018
 
(SURPRISE, Ariz.) Sophomore Bri Johnson scored two goals as #10 Westmont Women's Soccer (12-1-2, 5-1-1 GSAC) record a 4-0 Golden State Athletic Conference win over conference newcomer Ottawa or Arizona (11-4-2, 3-2-2-2). With the win, Westmont secured a second-place finish in the GSAC regular season and a bye in the first round of the upcoming GSAC Tournament.
 
"As a coaching staff, we were pleased with how we started the match," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "Our intensity and energy from the opening whistle was high. It put us in a positive trajectory for the remainder of the game.
 
"Ottawa had not lost a game at home this season, so we knew it was going to be a competitive match. After notching two in the first half, it took the wind out of their sails a little bit. We came out in the second half still hungry and knowing that we had room for improvement. Thankfully, we were able to notch a couple more in the second half and also gain the shutout."
 
Johnson scored first for the Warriors in the 14th minute with an assist from Maddi Berthoud.
 
"On the first goal, the ball got sent from the width," described Cappuccilli. "Maddi took the first shot and it ricocheted back to Bri. Bri smacked it into the back of the net with a first touch."
 
In the 36th minute, Teagan Matye gave Westmont a 2-0 lead.
 
"It was a beautiful sequence," noted Cappuccilli. "Maddi checked to the ball – she dummied it. Avalon ran behind her and then played the ball across the six-yard box. Teagan was wide open. She took a touch and placed it."
 
In the 52nd minute Haylee Parker produced the Warriors' third goal.
 
"The ball got played over the top," reported Cappuccilli. "It was a gritty goal. Teagan plowed through two players to notch it in the back of the goal. That was huge for us."
 
Johnson's second goal came just 22 seconds after Parker.
 
"Bri turned inside on the top of the 18 and placed it very well to the back post," said Cappuccilli. "It was great to watch Bri come alive in this game. She was playing with tremendous confidence."
 
Westmont goalkeeper Gabi Haw recorded her seventh save of the season, aided by her back line.
 
"Our center backs did well to keep us organized and keep our shape compact," assessed Cappuccilli. "We had talked about not allowing there to be space between the lines and our center backs – Alexx Hamilton and Sydney Hess - led well to close those gaps."
 
The Warriors will finish the regular season on Saturday when they take on the Firestorm of Arizona Christian (6-10-1, 2-4-1). Kick-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
 
The GSAC Tournament will begin with first round action - which the Warriors will now sit out - on Saturday, November 3. Westmont is scheduled to begin tournament play in the semifinals on Thursday, November 8 against an opponent to be determined. The semifinals and finals will be held at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.