Westmont’s Josh Glover recorded his third-straight clean sheet on Saturday as Westmont improved to 2-0-1 in GSAC play with a double-overtime 0-0 draw against The Master’s. Glover, a recent GSAC Defensive Player of the Week, totaled five saves.
“It was a dogfight and probably a fair result today,” said assistant coach Johnny Whallon. “It was good for us to be in a tight, competitive match – an authentic GSAC game. Overall, we played a sound game and simply were unlucky not to get a couple in there.”
Both teams had opportunities to score with a total of 35 shots (21 for the Warriors), but the goalkeepers produced a combined 13 saves to keep the game scoreless. Westmont keeper Josh Glover, who notched five saves, recorded his third shutout. He also has two shared shutouts with freshman teammate Spencer Petty.
“Josh is doing an excellent job for us,” said Whallon. “Josh made a couple of key saves for us. His verbal quality has enhanced our back four in terms of being clear with our communication. Josh’s save in the first half on a quasi-breakaway was excellent and was an anchor for us for the rest of the game.”
Westmont remains in first place in the GSAC standings with seven points (three points for a win, one point for a tie). Hope International is in second place with six points while Concordia, Biola and Vanguard are tied for third place with three points each.
Westmont will take the show on the road next week with a game a seven o’clock at Biola on Wednesday and a game at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Hope International.
WOMEN’S SOCCER: The No. 2-ranked Warriors suffered their worse loss of the season on Saturday in a 5-0 loss to No. 15 The Master’s.
The Mustangs (6-2-1, 1-0-1 GSAC) scored three goals in the opening 15 minutes and kept the Warriors (7-2, 2-1 GSAC) at bay for the rest of the first half. The second half proved no batter for the Warriors who gave up another two goals in the first seven minutes. Natasha Coyle recorded a hat trick for the Mustangs while Katie Farris claimed the other two goals.
With the loss, the Warriors fall into a tie with Biola (8-1, 2-0) for first place in the GSAC. Both teams have earned six points in the standings (three points for a win, one for a time). The Master’s and #7 Concordia (7-2-1, 1-0-1) are tied for second with four points apiece.
The Warriors will seek to get back on track with two road games this week. On Tuesday evening, the Warriors will play Biola at seven o’clock. Then on Saturday, Westmont will face off with Hope International at noon.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: A couple of quick three-set wins in Rocklin on Saturday were music to the ears of Westmont Volleyball head coach Patti Cook. In an afternoon game, Westmont (10-8, 3-2 GSAC) defeated Menlo (7-6) by scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-19. Later that evening, the Warriors defeated Golden State Athletic Conference opponent William Jessup (0-14, 0-5) in straight sets 25-12, 25-13 and 25-17.
“It was good steady volleyball all day,” said Cook. “Our serving was especially tough today and we were able to get both teams in trouble with their passing.”
The Warriors tallied 17 service aces in the two games, including four each by senior setter Heidi Thompson and senior outside hitter Madison Serrano.
“Menlo had some strong hitters,” said Cook of the early game, “but we blocked pretty effectively. We got our hands on a lot of balls and stopped their offense. Sydney Striff played middle and she has really improved her blocking. She was effective on offense as well with her nice high jumps.”
Striff moved into the middle blocker role last week when an injury to Ciena Colburn kept her out of the Vanguard match. Though Colburn returned to the line-up for Saturday’s matches, freshman Mila Maricic was sidelined with an injury, keeping Striff in her new role. Striff tallied 10 kills in the two matches.
Cook was able to open up playing time for several players and was pleased with what she saw.
“Miranda Beach played libero for a set against William Jessup and (setter) Alexa Nestlerode ran a 5-1 offense in the third set against William Jessup. It was fun being able to play around with our line-up and have everyone come in and be able to contribute.
“Sarah McGough played very well on the right side with steady offense and good all around play. Taylor Beckman played good and steady all day long – both in the back row and in the front row.”
On Tuesday evening, the Warriors will travel to Santa Clarita to take on The Master’s (11-7, 2-3). Then on Saturday, Westmont will return home to Murchison Gymnasium for a show down with Hope International (5-9, 1-4).
