By Ron Smith
October 29, 2025
 
(SANTA BARBARA) Westmont Women's Soccer (5-9, 5-3 PacWest) suffered a 2-0 lost to the Lions of Vanguard (5-7-1, 3-4) on Wednesday afternoon at Thorrington Field. The loss broke a three-game winning streak for the Warriors including two victories in Hawaii last week.
 
"I felt like we didn't take care of the small details today that we normally take care of and demand out of our players," said Westmont's head coach Lauren Matthias. "We didn't win our 50-50s. We didn't get touch-tight pressure. We didn't close space together as knits and lines.
 
"I think it was just a combination of not doing any of the small details. On a large scale, those hold a lot of weight. We couldn't take care of the small details well enough to be able to execute our game plan.
 
"Credit to Vanguard, they did take care of the details. I thought they did a better job winning 50-50s and I thought they outmuscled us on the ball. They were opportunistic and we weren't today.
 
"We talked about how coming off of a road trip it's hard, but there are no excuses for the small details. We call it the TNT - takes no talent - to do those things. When we're not taking care of those details it's hard to execute any of the bigger stuff.
 
The Lions' first goal came in the 44th minute, just before intermission. Kaitlyn Currier slotted a ball forward from the center circle that allowed Francesca Lindstrom to get in behind the Warriors' defense with the ball and with a full head of steam. Westmont goalkeeper Ellie Ludwig came out from the goal, but Lindstrom was able to touch the ball forward and to the left, then run it down and send it into the opposite side netting.
 
In the 60th minute, Kate Burns sent a ball over the top that Westmont's defenders couldn't clear. Vanguard's Abby Grabowski wrestled the ball away and got free enough to fire off a shot with her right foot from 13-yards in front of the goal. The ball found the left-hand crease, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead.
 
"I told the players to be in it and learn from it and then we sleep and we forget it and move on," said Matthias. "We have to have a better showing on Saturday taking care of the details that we have been taking care of all year. It's a frustrating loss, but hopefully, it will be something that teaches us that we still must show up every day regardless of the opponent."
 
Saturday will bring the Sea Lions of Point Loma (6-3-4, 3-1-3) to town for a noon-time game at Thorrington Field. The Sea Lions are coming off a 2-1 loss today to Azusa Pacific (10-2-3, 7-1).
 
As a result of today's conference games, Azusa Pacific remains in first place with 21 points. Concordia (10-2-4, 5-1-3), who beat Biola 2-0 this evening, now sits alone in second place with 18 points. Westmont and Hawai'i Hilo (6-2-6, 4-1-3), are tied for third place with 15 points apiece. Trying to find a way into the top four, and therefore earn a berth in the upcoming PacWest Tournament, are Point Loma and Dominican (7-1-7, 3-1-1), who each have 12 points and are tied for fifth.