By Ron Smith
September 26, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (0-5-2) came up a goal short on Thursday afternoon at Thorrington Field, falling to the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino (1-1-3) by a score of 2-1.
 
San Bernardino scored the first goal on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute of play. Despite Westmont objections, the PK was awarded when Makenna Meyers and the Coyote's Alissa Torres collided just inside the 18-yard box. No card was issued, but a foul was called. Emma Frausto took the penalty kick and quickly gave San Bernardino a 1-0 lead.
 
In the 52nd minute, a senior-freshman combination produced an equalizer for the Warriors. Senior Shayna Stock sent a ball into the box along the ground from the left side. Near the left post, senior Amarys Machado drew a defender and then dummied the pass, allowing the ball to continue across the face of the goal. Madeline Steinbach, running alone toward the goal, fired from seven yards out into the left-hand crease.
 
"The goal we scored from the cross from Shayna to Madi was an awesome finish," said Westmont's head coach Jenny Jaggard. "With the return of Madi, we are going to be scoring more goals this season."
 
The final goal for the Coyotes came in the 84th minutes of play. Bella Cervantes was forwarded a ball on the right side and dribbled within eight yards of the end line. She then dribbled toward the goal, beating a Warrior defender and finding herself one-on-one with Westmont's keeper. Cervantes squeezed her shot just inside the near post.
 
Just 18 seconds of play later, Westmont had a chance to tie the score again when the Warriors were awarded a PK. Katie DeMillo was pushed to the ground at the top of the box just as she was about to receive a pass. Ainsley Martin stepped up for the penalty shot, but her attempt was pushed upward by the Coyote keeper, then ricocheted off the crossbar and back into play. Ruby Stimer attempted to head the rebound inside the right post, but the keeper once again thwarted the attempt.
 
That proved to be Westmont's last chance to even up the game.
 
The Warriors begin conference play on Saturday when they travel to La Mirada to take on the Eagles of Biola. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.