By Ron Smith
October 25, 2025
 
(HONOLULU) Two second-half goals scored within four minutes of each other on a blustery day are all that Westmont Women's Soccer (5-8, 5-2 PacWest) needed to claim a 2-0 win over the Silverswords of Chaminade (1-4-6, 1-4-2) at St. Louis Field. With today's victory, the Warriors completed a two-win road trip to Hawaii.
 
"As a staff, we try to approach every game the same and not hype a game up too much," said Westmont's head coach Lauren Matthias. "In our minds, however, we knew how big this trip was going to be for us. It was really important for us to come out of it with six points (for two wins). We wanted to prepare the same, like we always do, and keep the players focused. We also wanted our players to enjoy Hawaii. Credit to our players for preparing well going into the games."
 
The Warriors currently sit in a three-way tie for second place in the PacWest standings. Westmont has 15 points (three points for a win, one for a tie), as do Concordia (9-2-4, 4-1-3) and Hawai'i Hilo (6-2-6, 4-1-3). Azusa Pacific (9-2-3, 6-1) is on top of the conference standings with 18 points, while Dominican (7-1-7, 3-1-3) and Point Loma (6-2-4, 3-0-3) each have 12.
 
Regarding today's contest, Matthias said, "It was a hard game, super windy. We knew that though. We trained yesterday at this time and it was just as windy. So, that was great preparation. It helped us to know what kind of game we were going to step into. To get two goals and a shutout in a hard place to play was big time. Our players are very tired from being on the road, but they dug in and got it done."
 
The strategy for dealing with 20-30 mph winds started with the coin toss.
 
"We wanted to go into the wind in the first half," expressed Matthias. "If we could get to halftime 0-0, then we knew that in the second half we could just focus on how we wanted to play. Makenna Meyers called the coin toss and won. So, going into the wind while we were fresh was a strategic play for us".
 
As it turned out, that is exactly what happened. Neither team scored in the opening frame, giving the Warriors the advantage they were looking for.
 
The first goal came in the 64th minute off a set piece. Amelia Villa sent a corner kick from the right side into the penalty box, finding the head of Skyler McNamara. The sophomore forward raised up and headed the ball into the net, recording her team-leading fifth goal of the year.
 
Then in the 67th minute, Sierra Martin executed a bicycle kick that was deflected back into play by the keeper. Ciara Caringal ran on the rebound and fired on the net, only to have it cleared off the goal line by a defender. Villa then fired from ten yards out, finding the back of the net to give Westmont a two-goal lead.
 
Westmont goalkeeper Ellie Ludwig tallied six saves in the game and recorded the Warriors' first shutout of the season.  
 
"I am really proud of the group for continuing to dig in and show up," said Matthias. "Even when we weren't executing some things tactically, there is still that fight to get it done. The play wasn't amazing, but with the conditions, to be able to put two away was great."
 
Westmont returns home to take on Vanguard on Wednesday, October 29. Game time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.