By Ron Smith
August 25, 2018
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (2-0), ranked eighth in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, picked up its second win of the season with a 4-1 win over the Regals of California Lutheran. Sophomore Isabelle Berthoud and freshman Teagan Matye provided first half goals with junior Avalon Albright scoring twice in the second half.
 
"It's great for us to have the performance we did in our first home game," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "I felt like we got better on the day.
 
"Early on, our team has experienced some adversity (injuries). You can use adversity as an excuse or use it as an opportunity. I think the team has taken it as the latter and I am proud of their response.
 
"Overall, as we move forward through our non-conference season, you can see our group becoming more comfortable as they play together. With adding a number of new pieces in our starting group and our rotation, some of those kinks take time to work."
 
Westmont's first goal came in the eighth minute of play when junior Maddi Berthoud served up the ball to her sister Isabelle Berthoud from the right side of the field. Berthoud fired toward the net to record her first goal as Warrior.
 
"Izzy did a lot of grunt work today," noted Cappuccilli of the sophomore transfer. "She is a bit unassuming. You don't necessarily see it coming, just like her goal. She took the appropriate first touch with her body and hit the shot from well over 25 yards out. I am happy for her as we watch her work her way into our system. That is not necessarily easy to do is a transfer, but she has carried herself very well and it is evident in the way she has been playing lately."
 
The Warriors added to their lead late in the first half. In the 40th minute, Albright passed the ball to Matye who scored her second collegiate goal.
 
"It was a phenomenal play," said Cappuccilli. "The point of attack was switched and the ball ended up at Avalon's feet. She drove at her defender and delivered a slip ball to Teagan. Teagan timed it perfectly and was very composed on the finish."
 
In the 53rd minute, the Regals drew to within one when Janelle Effarah fired off a shot from the left side of the goal. The ball ricocheted of the right post and into the goal for the score.
 
Albright restored the Warrior's margin to two in the 71st minute after receiving a pass from Hailey Parker on the right wing. Albright settled the pass and fired from eight yards out to record the goal.
 
The final goal came in the 74th minute. Maddi Berthoud intercepted a pass by a Regals' defender and drove to the top of the 18-yard box. Berthoud fired off a shot that rebound back to her off of a defender. Berthoud slipped the ball to Albright on her left. Albright's shot glanced off a defender and found the right side of the net.
 
"I am really happy for the place Avalon has come to in her career," expressed Cappuccilli. "It's a proud moment for me as a coach to see her turn the corner and gain more confidence with each game. It's a first for her to score three goals in two games. I'm happy for her and for her performance."
 
The coach was also pleased with the play of sophomore Savannah Scott. "The accuracy of Savannah's distribution today really helped us and she made some bone-clinching tackles that we needed. I am impressed with the way she carries herself as an underclassman."
 
The Warriors return to non-conference play on Wednesday, August 29, when they take to the road to play Marymount at El Camino College in Torrance.