By Jacob Norling
April 3, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) #6 Westmont (7-4, 6-0 GSAC) stretched their winning streak to three games on Saturday after defeating Cal Lutheran 3-0.
 
"The big focus for us this week was defensive organization," said Westmont head coach Jenny Jaggard. "We were trying to win balls as far up field and away from our goal as possible."
 
Westmont's defensive focus paid off, as they collected their fourth shutout of the season and did not allow Gabi Haw to break a sweat.
 
In the 15th minute Westmont had their first corner kick of the day and made it count. Izzy Berthoud sent a bending cross from the near corner that was redirected off the temple of Bri Johnson and into the Regals net. It was the reigning GSAC player of the year's third goal of the season, and for Berthoud it was her first assist.
 
Westmont came within inches of doubling their lead in the 29th minute when Teagan Matye drilled a shot towards the left post, but Regals keeper Gabby Flores made a spectacular save diving to her right and pushing the ball out of bounds with her fingertips.
 
Westmont would not be denied again in the 32nd minute when Teagan Matye crossed a ball to Reese Davidson in the six-yard box. Davidson collected Westmont's second goal of the day via header, as she redirected the high cross inside the left post.
 
"With those first half goals, it felt like it was a long time coming," said Jaggard. "I feel like we've been frustrated with our lack of scoring at times and it seemed like today we were able to let off some steam.
 
"Those two (Davidson and Johnson) have been working hard and I've been telling them to keep getting at it because it's coming and it was awesome to see them find the back of the net."
 
Westmont did not surrender a single shot on goal in the first half, while recording five of their own.
 
Three minutes into the second half Westmont generated their second of the day off of a corner kick when Berthoud sent a ball into the box and followed it. The ball was batted around without a clearance for a moment and then Westmont's Bryn Howard fired a shot that ricocheted off the Cal Lu keeper and then immediately off the shin of a well-placed Berthoud. Berthoud's rebound shot immediately into the net for her second goal of the season.
 
 
Westmont recorded six shots on goal while also not allowing the Regals to record one.
 
Westmont's next match will be the Golden State Athletic Conference championship game next Saturday, when they host OUAZ with an automatic bid into the NAIA national tournament on the line. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM, and live coverage will be available on the Westmont athletics website.
 
"The GSAC championship is obviously a huge motivating factor for us to keep working," said Jaggard. "We have some positive momentum and we're looking forward to getting polished this week for a big one next weekend."