By Ron Smith
November 4, 2024
 
(LONG BEACH, Calif.) Westmont's Sierra Martin was named the PacWest Women's Soccer Player of the Week after recording three goals in the Warriors' 3-1 victory over Academy of Art on Saturday. The hat trick is the only one recorded in the PacWest this season.
 
Martin scored all three goals in the first half, starting in just the second minute of play when she tapped in a cross that Amelia Villa sent in from the left side. In the 21st minute, Villa led Martin with a pass into the box. Martin dribbled toward the goal then fired inside the near post. The final goal came in the 31st minute when Martin beat her defender in a foot race to the ball and shot it past an oncoming goalkeeper.
 
Martin and Westmont will be back in action this week when they close out the regular season at home. On Thursday, the Warriors will host Hawai'i Pacific. Then on Saturday, Westmont will welcome Dominican to Thorrington Field. Kick-off is scheduled for two o'clock on both days.
 
Westmont can clinch a berth in the upcoming PacWest Women's Soccer Championship by winning one of its two remaining games. The four-team tournament, which will take place at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, begins with semifinals on Thursday, November 14. The championship game will be conducted the following Saturday.
 
The winner of the PacWest Championship receives an automatic berth into NCAA West Regional play which begins on Friday, November 22.
 
Eligibility for the postseason is a result of Westmont receiving news last July of a waiver for its third year of transition and immediate full NCAA DII membership. As a result, Westmont teams became eligible for both PacWest and NCAA DII competitions beginning this year.