By Ron Smith
September 8, 2018
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer, ranked seventh in the NAIA, ran its record to 5-0-1 with a 3-2 win over the Battlin' Bears of Rocky Mountain of Montana (3-1). The first half saw just four shots by each team, but the two teams combined for 18 in the second set.
 
"I think that there was a difference between what the first and second half looked like for us," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "I believe we were sounder defensively in the first half and did well enough to finish the first 45 with a 1-0 lead."
 
The first goal came in the 14th minute after Maddi Berthoud drew a foul after receiving a throw-in from Savannah Scott from the right touchline. Scott served the resulting free kick into the box where if found Hailey Parker. Parker, who was even with the far post and 12 yards from the goal line, headed the ball back across the face of the goal toward the side netting. The ball bounced just short of the goal line and bounded into the right corner of the net.
 
In the 53rd minute, Katelyn Merrell made it a 2-0 game. Maddy Cuculich took a free kick from the right touchline in front of the Warriors bench and aimed for teammates in front of the goal. An undefended Bri Johnson attempted to head the ball but the ball was about six inches too high. The ball struck the back of the legs of a defender and fell free to Merrell. Merrell fired from give yards out past a charging goalkeeper.
 
"Katelyn has notched two goals in two games," said Cappuccilli. "She has communicated to the coaching staff the kind of season she wants to have on behalf of the team. Credit to her, her words have matched up with her effort. She ball-won in the middle of the field when we needed her to."
 
Nine minutes later, the Battlin' Bears cut the deficit to one. Lauryn Gamache sent a corner kick from the left side to the front of the net that Westmont goalkeeper Gabi Haw punched away. The Battlin' Bears' Tanja Staben gathered the ball and passed it to Mhari Smith on the right side. Smith fired from just inside the corner of the 18-yard box. The ball deflected off a Warrior defender and into the left side netting.
 
"Coming out in the second half, there were too many moments where we were complacent defensively," said Cappuccilli. "By that, I mean collectively, not just our back line. In turn Rocky Mountain stepped it up in the second half. When we went up 2-0 and allowed a goal, it needed to be tighter. We didn't have the presence to look for a shutout. When we went up 3-1, it should have been tighter across the board to prevent another goal from happening."
 
The Warriors' final goal was scored in the 66th minute. From just inside the midfield stripe, Kira Nemeth sent a ball forward that Maddi Berthoud tracked down in the box. Berthoud, one-on-one with the keeper, dribbled toward the goal and buried her shot in the back of the net.
 
Rocky Mountain's final goal was scored in the 71st minute. From just inside the end line on the right-hand side, Alyssa Schneider sent a ball on a diagonal across the field to Lauren Gamache who was 12 yards out on the left. Gamache drove the ball into the opposite corner of the goal.
 
Westmont's defense stiffened over the final 19 and one-half minute to preserve the win for the Warriors.
 
Wednesday, the Warriors will host Antelope Valley (1-3-1) in another non-conference game. 
 
"Antelope Valley is a strong side," said Cappuccilli. "We have a number of home games the rest of the month of September, which we are looking forward to. Overall, we have to be disciplined within our defending and I think we will see drastic improvement."
 
Wednesday's Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.