Senior forward Mallory Mitchell had a pair of goals on Saturday morning at Russ Carr Field to lead #2 Westmont Women’s Soccer (2-0) to a 4-1 win over the visiting Eagles (1-2) of Northwest (Wash.). The Warriors scored three times in a seven minute span during the second half to secure the win.
Mitchell’s first goal came in the 26th minute when she headed in a ball that was crossed from the left corner by senior forward Carly Holly. The ball was initially blocked by Northwest goalkeeper Patty Hughes, but hit the ground and spun backward into the net.
The Eagles responded in the 30th minute with a goal by Acacia Johnson. Johnson dribbled up the center of the field and past Westmont goalkeeper Lauren Dorr, scoring into an empty net.
“We were all unsatisfied with the first half,” noted Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely. “(Northwest) has a quick front player in Johnson. We had the scout on her and had a game plan, but we didn’t stick to it.
“In the second half we made some adjustments and encouraged the team to go forward. We had a lot of success doing so.”
Tiffany Dimaculangan scored what turned out to the game winner in the 58th minute. The senior forward dribbled past four defenders in the center of the field and then fired a shot past Hughes for the goal.
Mitchell’s second goal, and the third for the Warriors, came four minutes later. Dribbling down the right touch line, Mitchell took at sharp left turn, drove toward the goal and scored from five yards out.
In the 65th minute, Sophie Judd and Christine Adams tacked on the game’s final score. Judd drilled a cross from the left-hand side to within three yards of the front of the goal. Adams timed the pass perfectly, leapt and headed the ball into the net.
Westmont outshot Northwest 25-6 with 15 of the Warriors’ attempts placed on goal.
“I was proud of Malory Mitchell to come out and continue to get us on top,” noted Kiely. “Sophie Judd continues to be fantastic in the back. Once again, the spine of our team – Sophie, Tiffany (Dimaculangan) and Kaci Mexico – was really strong.
“Another bright spot was Destinee Adams. We have some injuries right now and that gives other players a chance to come off the bench and make a case for themselves. I thought Destinee made a case for herself today, as well as Renee Gonsalvez.
“I’m proud of everyone that stepped on the field today,” added Kiely. “We used every available player and the level (of play) never dropped off.”
The Warriors will not play again until next Saturday when they welcome the Wildcats of Baker (Kan.) to Thorrington Field. Before that, Kiely has some things she wants the team to address.
“We certainly have some kinks to work out,” acknowledged the coach. “Each game is getting harder and we hope to have those kinks figured out as we face Baker, head to Kentucky to play Martin Methodist (Tenn.) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), and then host (reigning national champion) Concordia (Ore.).
Next Saturday’s game against Baker will begin at 3:00 p.m.
