By Ron Smith
November 8, 2018
 
(IRVINE, Calif.) After #12 Westmont Women's Soccer (13-1-3) rallied from a 2-0 deficit, junior midfielder Maddi Berthoud scored in the final minute of regulation to give the Warriors a 3-2 Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal win over the Mustangs of The Master's (13-6-1). Westmont advances to the championship game on Saturday to take on Hope International. The Royals advanced to the finals with a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Vanguard.
 
The Master's started the game by controlling possession and broke through with a goal in the 19th minute. The ball was crossed into the middle of the field by Emma Hopkins and found Suzanne Mabie. Mabie placed the goal in the lower right corner of the net.
 
"I think Master's brought energy, fight and determination within the first half," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "I think we struggled to adjust to their grittiness within the opening moments. We needed to get settled into the game and do the simple things well."
 
"It was intense," said sophomore forward Bri Johnson. "I think we got caught up when they scored the first goal. But it goes to show our team and how we are able to battle and get it back no matter what the score."
 
"At first, we kind of put our heads down," acknowledged freshman forward Katie Stella. "At half time, our coach told us to get our heads up. We knew we were a good team and capable of winning. We needed to be confident of our skills. We train fast and we train hard. We just needed to bring that into the game today.
 
Just over two minutes into the second half, The Master's scored again. This time on a header by Hailey Gomillion.
 
"After we went down 2-0 in the opening few minutes of the second half, I think that was another gut check," said Cappuccilli.
 
"We knew this was not a reflection of who we were," offered Berthoud. "All of us needed to put everything we had so we could show our true character. I think we thrive in those situations where everything is on the line and I think our character came out."
 
In the 53rd minute, Stella put the Warriors on the scoreboard.
 
"In order for us to win, we had to be scrappy," said Stella. "We couldn't wait for the perfect opportunity to take a shot because that was never going to be offered to us with their high press and their great defense.
 
"I received the ball," reported Johnson, "I was driving up their back line, I saw Stella make the diagonal run and I slipped her through and she turned and made a pretty finish in the back corner."
 
"Bri was at the top of the box on the 18 on the left side," described Stella. "She slotted it across to me and I took a little half touch to turn. I got the ball and saw the tiniest little slot and thought, 'why not go for it?'."
 
Credit to Katie Stella today," said Cappuccilli. "I thought she played her best game of the season and helped us when we really needed it. Once we found that first goal, there was a big chunk of the second half were we were dominating. Then we found the second goal."
 
"The first goal definitely hyped us up," said Stella. "We were in a lull there and we needed something to boast our energy and confidence and I think that did it for us because we got two goals after that."
 
Johnson scored the equalizer in the 71st minute.
 
"The ball was played to their center back," explained Johnson. "It was kind of a bobble. She went to clear it and it hit me. I went forward and saw the keeper was up high, so I chipped her."
 
The game winner was scored with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. Stella sent a ball over the top to Berthoud.
 
"I had just come back on the field, noted Berthoud who re-entered the game in the 84th minute. "I saw the through ball I had been looking for all game. The keeper was coming out and I knew I had one step to finish it and knew she was going to hit me anyway. So, she did hit me, but the goal went in and I was so happy.
 
"Those are my favorite moments in all of my soccer career. Moments in playoffs when I can win everything for the team. I'm super thankful."
 
"The fact that we were pushing as hard as we were for that third goal in the final minute, showed our character in the face of adversity," said Cappuccilli. "That is a credit to the team. They played with heart and desire and dug deep in themselves to find the game winner."
 
Just 20 seconds later, The Master's put the ball in the back of the net, but the apparent goal was waved off when offside was indicated by the assistant referee.
 
"Credit to Master's, because they didn't stop either," said Cappuccilli. "Both teams were battling over the entire 90 minutes, which is what you want in a conference tournament semifinals."
 
After another 37 seconds ticked off the clock, Westmont celebrated its victory on the field.
 
Saturday's championship game will be played at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine at four o'clock.
 
"I am excited about playing in the championship game," said Johnson. "I remember last year was very intense. As a freshman, I was in love with the competitive atmosphere. I am ready to go to work, win that one and redeem from last year."