By Ron Smith
November 10, 2022
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (13-0-3) is moving on to the championship game of the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament after a convincing 4-0 win over The Master's Mustangs on Thursday. The Warriors allowed the Mustangs just two shots – one in each half – while taking 19 of their own.
 
"I am so proud of my team," exclaimed Westmont head coach Jenny Jaggard. "We accomplished every single goal that we set for ourselves today. We were looking at our statistics against them in the last game. They had gotten more corner kicks than us and they had generated an equal number of shots to us. Our goal was to get as many shots in the first half as we did all last game. We felt like that was a realistic thing to do and we didn't feel like we tested them enough. We nearly did it, we were one shot off in the first half."
 
The Warriors also posted an 11-1 advantage on corner kicks.
 
"More importantly, because they are dangerous and scrappy in counterattacks, was the defensive posture we took every time we lost the ball – making sure they didn't have time to generate anything," noted Jaggard. "The team is doing better and better at that. The defensive response is amazing and I am really proud of them. It takes a lot of work and a lot of discipline to do that for 90 minutes."
 
Westmont's opening goal came in the 22nd minute. After Amelia Villa sent a ball over the top, Reese Davidson passed the ball to Grace Duckens who was six yards out. Duckens dribbled to her left then shot the ball inside the near post for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Three minutes later, a scramble in front of the Mustang's goal resulted in the ball popping out to Villa on the left hand side. The freshman midfielder from Solvang popped the ball into the far crease, recording her fourth of the year.
 
"I was excited about Amelia's performance today," said Jaggard. "In addition to the goal she had today, she generated a couple of other amazing opportunities. I thought that she was on today offensively. Of course, defensively, she is always a workhorse."
 
Amarys Machado scored the Warriors' third goal in the 57th minute, her fourth of the season. Ande Siegel attempted a free kick from 25 yards out that ricocheted off the crossbar. Reese Davidson had a swing at it, but the ball went to Machado who slammed it in the back of the net.
 
Machado scored her fifth goal of the season in the 80th minute, making the score 4-0. With the Mustangs' goalkeeper out of position, Machado took advantage. From 20 yards out, she slid toward a 50-50 ball, beating the defender and sending it into an empty net.
 
"Amarys getting two goals feels really good," said Jaggard. "It was good confidence building as we go into playoffs because we need more forwards doing that. Other teams are starting to mark out Reese, making it much harder for her. Reese had some great opportunities and got a couple of assists. She is involved in every play.
 
"I was also really happy with the subs," offered Jaggard. "They did a good job of maintaining the same level. They continue to get better and better and are understanding their roles."
 
In the first semifinal game, Ottawa (Ariz.) survived an own goal in the first half by putting two in the correct net in the second half to claim a 2-1 win over Menlo. Cassidi Calzaretta scored the first goal for the Spirit in the 65th minute on a penalty kick. The game winner came in the 83rd minute on a free kick by Anabella Bara from 20 yards out on the right side.
 
Westmont and Ottawa will face off in the championship game on Saturday at Thorrington Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
 
"I am excited and want the rematch," said Jaggard about taking on the Spirit for the title. "Ending 3-3 at their place in our first game, we are definitely hungry to prove there is a reason we are the top seed this year. We want to make that clear Saturday. It is going to be a battle. They are very dynamic and high scoring. It will be interesting to see if our defending is good enough to keep them from scoring and see if we can maintain possession like we did today."
 
Saturday's winner will receive the conference's automatic berth into the NAIA National Championship Tournament.