By Ron Smith
September 12, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (0-2-1) recorded its first shutout of the year on Thursday at Thorrington field. Unfortunately, it was also a shutout for Cal State Monterey Bay (1-1-1). After 90 minutes of play, the teams shook hands and called it a scoreless draw.
 
"We did not give away a goal, today," noted Westmont's head coach Jenny Jaggard. "That is one win today. I feel like our back line has sorted out some of the issues. Monterey Bay has some really fast forwards and I was concerned about that. We did not give away anything soft.
 
"We were a little more organized in the transitional moments and tracking runners. Watching Monterey Bay's film, they have been getting in behind good teams and having dangerous opportunities. For the most part this game, they didn't get any one-verses-one with our keepers.
 
"Defensively, it was a whole unit performance and both keepers did a good job."
 
Maya Pablos played the first half in goal for the Warriors and Ellie Ludwig played the second. The two keepers picked up a shared shutout with a combined three saves.
 
"A little frustrated we didn't get the goal," admitted Jaggard, "but the attempts that we had today were closer to being convincing. That also was an improvement. The ball is not going in yet, but the moments are getting closer. The ideas are a little more intentional and a little better executed. Obviously, it still needs to improve, but I think we are moving in the right direction."
 
The Warriors took 12 shots while the Otters tallied 11. Both teams recorded three shots on goal.
 
"Shayna Stock had a good game helping us offensively," pointed out Jaggard. "When we rolled her out to the wing back position, I thought she did a good job of giving us a couple of good moments.
 
"I think we had a breakout moment for freshman Ciara Caringal, who was playing up front. She got some of the most quality moments and I thought she was going to score a goal. She is close. She had some good ideas and good movement off the ball.
 
"Amelia Villa was the player of the game. She was everywhere. She connected and fixed problems defensively for us. Then, we would get the ball and she was leading the charge offensively. She covered so much ground today. She is very fit."
 
The Warriors have little time to rest before their next game on Saturday when they host the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona (3-0). Cal Poly is coming off an upset win over #1 Point Loma Nazarene (2-1).
 
"We have to have a bigger picture this year," reflected Jaggard. "As long as we are seeing improvement (in the non-conference season), I think we are going to be ready for game one in the PacWest. That is where I have set my sights while we play these tough CCAA opponents – little improvements each game. Hopefully, that will make us ready and we will be able to put together complete games when conference starts."