By Ron Smith
October 12, 2019
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (9-1-1, 3-0 GSAC), ranked seventh in the NAIA, scored once in the first half and twice in the second to down #12 Vanguard (6-2-2, 2-1) in today's Golden State Athletic Conference game at Thorrington Field.
 
The Warriors entered the game with a career 28-8-5 advantage over the Lions, but had not defeated Vanguard since 2015 - before anyone on the current roster was on the team.
 
Despite the lopsided result, the victory was far from easy. Vanguard controlled the momentum for the first 30 minutes, keeping the ball mostly on its offensive side of the field.
 
"Vanguard didn't come out quite the way we expected," acknowledged Westmont head coach Jenny Jaggard. "However, there are elements of their game that were very predictable - and they were doing them very well. That included the long ball and being very physical with us.
 
"I would say that is something we need to practice - dealing with the physicality of the game and learning to play quickly when you have someone breathing down your neck and pushing you off the ball. It took us a few minutes to get our heads on straight. Our players had to settle down and realize they could still play, but with a different mindset."
 
Through the first 25 minutes, Westmont had taken just two shots, neither of which were on goal. Vanguard, on the other hand, tallied seven shots during the same time frame, including two saved spectacularly by Westmont keeper Gabi Haw.
 
"Our start definitely scared me," said Jaggard. "Gabi kept us in this game today. She made some tremendous saves the first 20 minutes."
 
Haw recorded her sixth shutout of the season while recording five saves in the game.
 
In the final 20 minutes of the first half, Westmont turned the tables, taking eight shots and placing three on target while holding Vanguard to just one shot.
 
Bri Johnson put the Warriors on the board in the 38th minute by scoring her fifth goal in the last three games. Kaitlyn Merrell found the ball just past midfield and forwarded it to Johnson. The junior dribbled past her defender on an angle toward the left-hand corner then fired from 17 yards out into the far crease.
 
Johnson now leads the Warriors in scoring with eight goals this season.
 
"Bri has been very consistent at doing what a good target forward should do, which is putting goals away," noted her coach.
 
In the 74th minute, Isabelle Berthoud created some separation for the Warriors by scoring her seventh goal of the season, assisted by Johnson.
 
Berthoud took a corner kick from the right-hand side then moved toward the goal. The ball was kicked by a defender back toward Berthoud who one-touched the ball to Johnson at the top of the 18-yard box and then collided with her defender.
 
Berthoud recovered from the contact and moved past the defensive player as she broke towards the goal. Johnson slotted the ball toward her and Berthoud took one touch to send the ball goalward. The ball glanced off a defender and entered the netting at the near post.
 
"It is always nice to get a second goal, especially that late (in the game) and especially because at that point the ball was mostly on our attacking half," expressed Jaggard. "That definitely gave us a little bit of breathing room. Credit to Izzy – she is everywhere and loves going to goal."
 
Westmont freshman Chase Sprink recorded her first collegiate goal in the 89^th minute to put the icing on the cake. Berthoud dribbled up the middle of the field then passed the ball along the ground to Sprink on her left. Sprink settled the ball with her right foot, then chipped the ball over the goalkeeper's head from 20 yards out.
 
"It has been coming for the last two games," said Jaggard of Sprink's goal. "Her training has really picked up the last two weeks. We wanted to see Chase rewarded with some playing time and see her finish. I'm glad she was able to get in and do what we have been seeing her do in practice."
 
Westmont currently sits atop the GSAC standings in a tie with OUAZ (Ariz.) who has an overall record of 10-3. Vanguard and The Master's (7-3-3) are tied for third place with conference marks of 2-1.
 
Despite her team's early success, Jaggard knows there is a long way to go this season.
 
"So far, we have had a good ability to have a broad perspective and not think we have accomplished all that we need to accomplish," assessed Jaggard. "We have been spending a lot of time looking at film and talking about areas where we need to improve.
 
"We have a motivated group of seniors that are pushing to make this team get better. We have reached this level, but there is another level that they are perfectly able of playing at. They just have to want it and to be hungry."
 
Next week, Westmont will host Hope International (6-7, 1-2) on Wednesday as part of a men's and women's doubleheader. The men will kick off at 12:30, with the women following at 3:00 p.m. Then on Saturday, the Warriors will travel to Santa Clarita to take on The Master's.