By Ron Smith
October 11, 2025
 
(FRESNO, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (2-7, 2-1 PacWest) picked up its second win this week courtesy of a 3-2 victory over the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific (0-7-2, 0-2-2). The Warriors scored two second-half goals to secure the win.
 
"I'm super excited to come out of a road weekend with six points," said Westmont's head coach Lauren Matthias, referencing Thursday's win at Menlo. "The travel the last couple of days has been a lot. I am proud of our players for getting the wins and three goals in each game."
 
Westmont took an early lead by scoring its first goal in the 12th minute. Amelia Villa crossed a ball from the right edge of the 18-yard box. From just inside the left edge of the six-yard box, Skyler McNamara headed the ball into the side netting, just inside the far post, to record her fourth goal of the year.
 
The Sunbirds scored an equalizer off of a set piece in the 41st minute. Jesslyn McCave served a free kick from 35-yards out into the left side of the box. Karyssa Lopez elevated from 10-yards out, even with the right post. Lopez headed the ball over a leaping Westmont goalkeeper Ellie Ludwig and hit the far post. The ball rebounded off the post and back in front of the goal before hitting Ludwig's back and redirecting into the goal.
 
"It felt like we let off the gas a little bit before their first goal," expressed Matthias. "We need to learn to control the pace of the game and keep the little things really sharp."
 
In the 51st minute, Madison Ford restored the Warriors win by scoring off of a free kick from almost the identical place that McCave took her free kick on Fresno Pacific's goal. Ford, however, did not need any help. Her ball sailed over the heads of everyone in the box, bounced once, and settled in the side netting. Her first goal of the year made the score 2-1 in favor of the Warriors.
 
"There is a hockey saying of, 'Pucks to the net,'" noted Matthias. "We have borrowed that expression to mean get the ball to the goal. That is what Maddie did. It was a great free kick."
 
Westmont had a chance for a third goal when the Warriors were awarded a penalty kick in the 79th minute. The PK was awarded when McNamara was taken down in the box by Sunbird goalkeeper Katelyn Gonzalez. Amelia Villa took the kick, but Gonzalez had an impressive save to keep the score within a goal.
 
Just two minutes later, the Warriors found that third goal. At midfield, near the left touchline, McNamara sent a ball forward to Kaia Diederichs. Diederichs one-touched the ball forward where Sierra Martin ran on it, sending it into the 18-yard box on the left side. As Gonzalez charged out of her goal, Martin used her left foot to drive the ball into the side netting on the right side.
 
Fresno Pacific pulled within a goal after it was awarded a penalty kick in the 83rd. Karyme Hernandez stepped up for the PK, which was blocked by Ludwig with a diving save. However, the ball rebounded to Hernandez who scored into a defenseless net.
 
"It was unfortunate for Ellie to have made the save, only to have the ball go right back to the kicker," noted Matthias.
 
The Sunbirds tallied 13 shots on goal with Ludwig notching 11 saves. The Warriors placed 12 shots on goal. Corner kicks went in favor of the Warriors by a margin of 5-1.
 
"Our midfielders – Sydney Reese, Ellie Gilbert and Amelia - did a ton of work defensively," pointed out Matthias. "Our forwards - Kaia, Sierra and Skyler – did well keeping the ball and producing opportunities and goals.
 
"Our backline – Makenna Meyers and Madison Ford – made good adjustments, while Ainsley Martin had a couple of great tackles and Giselle Cancino had a great clearance off the line."
 
The Warriors will conclude their series of three road games in a row when they travel south to the San Gabriel Valley on Wednesday to take on the Cougars of Azusa Pacific. Kick-off is scheduled for five o'clock.