Westmont Women’s Soccer, ranked at No. 9 in the NAIA, won its home opener on Friday, shutting out Marymount 4-0. The Warriors outshot the Mariners 32-2, helping to rectify a struggling offense.
“It feels like the monkey is starting to get off the back,” said Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely, referring to a struggle to finish shots against Missouri Valley in a 1-0 loss a week and one-half ago. “In the first 30 minutes, it felt like Missouri Valley all over again. We were dominating, but we could not finish. Then it started to turn around.”
The start of the turnaround came in the thirty-third minute when All-American Alison Hensley dribbled up the middle of the field and scored from 10 yards out. Hensley’s goal was the product of a decision to move the junior from her customary position in the back to the midfield.
“It was very difficult to make the decision to break up our back line of upper classman,” said Kiely. “We moved Alison up to holding midfielder to fill a hole and she has done a very good job of it. We moved (freshman) Kaitlynn (Durham) into the center back position and she has done a good job there. I feel very good about the combination of Kaitlynn and Sophie (Judd) at center back. Sophie’s strength, power, size and experience combine very well with Kaitlynn athleticism, speed and composure.
“Defensively, I am very happy with our entire back line,” noted Kiely. “I thought our outside backs Missy (Robertson) and Amanda (Diesen) did a good job of getting forward today.”
Westmont’s second goal came in the fifty-third minute when Mallory Mitchell dribbled up the left-side baseline and powered in a shot from 12 yards out. Courtney Stonesifer made it a 3-0 game in the sixty-third minute. After receiving a pass from Carly Holly, Stonesifer fired off a shot that bounced off Marymounts’ keeper and came back to her. Stonesifer fired again, this time finding the back of the net.
The Warriors added a late goal in the ninetieth minute in similar fashion. A long shot by Rachel Burrow bounced off the left post and found Kaci Mexico who finished the goal.
“I really appreciated that the level of play did not go down today, no matter who was on the field,” said Kiely. “Two of our goals came from the time when some of our younger and newer players were on the field. That is exciting for what it says about the depth of our roster and the impact that the newer players can make.”
Next Friday, the Warriors will welcome #22 Westminster (Utah) to Thorrington Field for a three o’clock game.
