Sophomore Kelsey Steck recorded a hat trick while senior Kaci Mexico added a goal and two assists, leading third-ranked Westmont to a 7-0 rout over Arizona Christian in a GSAc women’s soccer game at Thorrington Field on Saturday.
The Warriors (10-0-3, 4-0-2 GSAC) found the back of the net in just the sixth minute of play when Mexico pushed a ball forward to Steck who then beat the Firestorm’s keeper. Ten minutes later, the same scenario played itself out again with the same players in the same roles.
In the 21st minute, Mexico became the goal scorer. A pass from Alison Hensley was relayed to Mexico at the top of the box by Jenny Martinez. Mexico put the ball away to give Westmont a 3-0 advantage.
Steck’s third goal came in the 26th minute. Missy Robertson, who had just entered the game, crossed the ball from the right sideline and Steck headed in the pass, making it a 4-0 game.
In the final minute before intermission, sophomore Sophia Smati was taken down just outside the box as she attempted to drive toward the goal. Sophomore Brook Lillywhite, seeing that the half was nearly over, quickly took the free kick and caught Arizona Christian unprepared. The ball sailed into the goal with 18 seconds remaining on the first half clock, putting Westmont up 5-0.
The Warriors did not score again until the 82nd minute. Carly Holly crossed a ball in from the left corner which two Firestorm defenders attempted to settle. Instead, the ball rolled over to Kaleigh Landberg who deposited the errant ball into the net.
Less than a minute later, Holly scored a goal of her own. Westmont gained possession shortly after the kick off and Mexico began to dribble from midfield. Halfway to toward the goal, Mexico passed off to Holly on the left side who dribbled past a defender and then fired from eight yards out for the Warriors’ seventh score.
