By Ron Smith
October 31, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (7-2-5, 5-1-2 PacWest) kept itself in the hunt with the PacWest contenders by recording a 1-0 win over Dominican (5-10-2, 1-6-2) on Senior Day.
 
"I am glad we were able to pull out the result this game," expressed Westmont's head coach Jenny Jaggard. "It was a very physical game that was disjointed in terms of finding a rhythm and being able to connect and play good soccer. We had some injuries from the physicality today, which I hope will not affect our ability to play our next game."
 
The Warriors' goal came in the 47th minute of play off a throw-in near the Penguins' end line. Shayna Stock threw the ball in from the left touchline and it was headed by Dominican defender Payton Zanatta. The ball came down just outside the corner of the six-yard box, but never reached the ground.
 
Instead, it met the left foot of Grace Duckens, whose bicycle kick propelled it not only over her own head, but that of her defender's as well. Two yards from the goal, Sierra Martin used the outside of her right foot to redirect the ball in midair into the goal. It was the first goal of the year for Martin and the third assist of the season for Duckens.
 
"Sierra did a great job getting open to score off of that set piece in the back post," said Jaggard. "I thought her movement to get into dangerous positions was good today.
 
"Taylie Scott and Daisy Alvarez also had stellar performances defending, and senior Monica Pizano was able to give us some good chances with crosses early in the game, which, unfortunately, we weren't able to finish."

Including today's game, the Westmont defense has not allowed a goal in the last four games. Warriors' goalkeeper Maya Pablos notched three saves and recorded her seventh shutout of the season. She and freshman keeper Ellie Ludwig have also combined for two shutouts this year. With today's shutout, Pablos continued a Warrior tradition. Each of the five meetings between Westmont and Dominican, including today's, have resulted in a shutout win for Warrior keepers.
 
Prior to the game, the team honored three seniors – Daisy Alvarez, Monica Pizano and Macey Preciado – for their contributions to Westmont Women's Soccer. Video of the event can be seen by visiting athletics.westmont.edu/video and selecting the game from the on demand menu.
 
As of this writing, Westmont is one of six teams within two points of each other at the top of the PacWest standings. Concordia (6-1-1) is in first place with 19 points. Hawai'i Hilo and Point Loma Nazarene, both 6-2 are tied for second with 18 points. Westmont, Azusa Pacific (5-1-2) and Chaminade (5-2-2) are tied for fourth with 17 points.
 
On Wednesday, the Warriors travel to San Diego to take on Point Loma in the penultimate game of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.