By Ron Smith
September 6, 2025
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer (0-2) scored early in its battle with Cal State Los Angeles (1-0-1) at Thorrington Field on Saturday, but was unable to add to their advantage or hold off the Golden Eagles.
 
"We came out and executed the first half of our game plan," said Westmont's head coach Lauren Matthias. "Our midfield did such a good job playing quickly and the movement of the ball was so clean. Overall, I think we grew from our first game on Thursday to today."
 
Skyler McNamara scored in the seventh minute to give the Warriors an early lead. Jane Hotaling sent a ball forward that allowed McNamara to get in behind the defenders. The sophomore forward ran on the ball and used one touch of her left foot to send it diagonally across the face of the goal and into the right side of the net.
 
"That was Skyler's first countable goal," noted Matthias. "It was a positive moment to celebrate with her. She has grown a ton this last year.
 
"The first half was very complete. Things we wanted to grow in after Thursday's game we were able to do consistently."
 
Things changed dramatically less than a minute into the second half when Jacqueline Marin provided an equalizer for the Golden Eagles.
 
Itzel Carbahal sent a ball forward from midfield, finding Delia Bocanegra on the left flank. Bocanegra dribbled to near the end line before sending the ball along the ground into the six-yard box. The ball found Marin alone on the right side of the net and she redirected it into the goal.
 
"At halftime, we told our players that Cal State LA is a good team who is good at being adaptable," reported Matthias. "We told them that their line of confrontation of pressure was going to be higher. They were going to move forward and they were going to send more numbers running at us. They had been laying off pressure in the middle, so we knew at half time they were going to try to run a little more at us, and they did it."
 
The 1-1 tie persisted until the 77th minute when Sofia Orozco scored to give the Golden Eagles what would prove to be the winning goal.
 
Another ball was sent over the top that Bocanegra tracked down and then slotted over to Orozco who was streaking down the center of the field. Orozco took one touch to send the ball forward, then took a stutter step before firing into the left side netting with her right foot.
 
"If we are going to continue to play two-touch soccer and try to build in the style that we are wishing to play, then that is an area we need to improve on," said Matthias. "When teams are down a goal, teams are going to try and push and run and put us under more pressure and overload the midfield. Cal State did a good job of trying to do that."
 
The Warriors also faced an adjustment from Cal State LA that affected their offensive game.
 
"At half time, we told the team the middle might not be on, so we might need to go around to go in, or skip the middle completely and go over. It was a little frustrating that we couldn't quite execute part two of the plan. Part one was great, part two, not quite. However, I think it gives the coaching staff some answers about what to work on as we continue to face teams that are going to adapt and be flexible at the half."
 
Despite some disappointments, Matthias saw several bright spots as well.
 
"Gizela Zermeno got her first start today and did really well. Defensively, she gets first to the ball and I thought she sat in some good pockets during the first half. In the second half, the line was higher and they were sitting on her more so she had to work harder to get on the ball.
 
" Sierra Martin did a good job of pressing in the first half - and even the second.
 
"I thought our center backs did a good job for the most part, handling Cal State LA. In the first half, they were calm and composed. It was really good. That was a huge growth area for our entire back line.
 
"I thought Jane did very well and Madison Ford did a good job. We played Madison at outside back and I thought she did a good job being adaptable and doing what we needed her to do there.
 
"I also thought our entire midfield did awesome: Amelia Villa and Ellie Gilbert. Ruby Stimer got into the game and provided a relief of calm. She kept the ball and settled things down nicely for us at the 10. Sydnee Reese had some really good stuff in terms of distribution."
 
The Warriors now prepare to head to Pomona on Thursday to take on the reigning national champions – Cal Poly Pomona (2-0). The Broncos have posted wins against Azusa Pacific and Fresno Pacific by scores of 3-1 and 4-1, respectively. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.