Westmont opened Golden State Athletic Conference play with a 2-0 loss to No. 4 California Baptist.
The women’s soccer game was played in Riverside, where the temperature soared to 104 degrees.
“We have shown that playing in this kind of temperature isn’t great for us,” said head coach Kristi Kiely, referring to losses at Redlands and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in similar conditions. “It was very challenging to play in conditions they are used to and we are not.”
But the heat is not Kiely’s biggest concern.
“Our biggest nemesis this year is ourselves in the first half,” said the coach. “If soccer was a one-half game, we would have a lot more success. We have yet to score in the first half and I think that is really important for us. We are a great second half team, but especially in our conference that is not going to be enough.”
The Lancers scored both of their goals in the first half. Jacquelyn Witz headed in the ball off a corner kick in the 22nd minute and Kylee Nicassio headed in cross from the left side in the 35th.
“They just beat us in the air,” said Kiely. “In the second half, I thought we played much better and had the run of play at times. Candace Marques, especially in the second half, did a fantastic job. She was getting into places that our forwards should have been and doing a lot of the work. She played a full 90 (minutes) in the heat and I was very impressed with her today.
“I also thought Amanda Diesen stepped up, in for Kayla Barkett who tore her ACL in the last game,” reported Kiely.
The Warriors return to action next Saturday when they host San Diego Christian as part of a men’s and women’s doubleheader on Homecoming weekend.
