Westmont exploded for four goals in the second half and snapped a two-match losing streak with a 4-0 win at Hope International in a Golden State Athletic Conference game.
“The first half was a dual where we were just hanging with each other,” said Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely of the scoreless opening frame. “The second half is where we finally came alive. I think we are still recovering. This program and these players are not used to losing back-to-back games. I think there was finally a response to that.”
The Warriors are now 3-2 in the GSAC and 8-3 overall.
The game was played on a turf field in triple-digit temperature.
“Hope was fantastic,” said Kiely of their hosts. “They watered the field before the game and at halftime and tried to make sure that the players were taken care of. But it was quite hot. We saw a lot of rotation and our players who came off the bench got it done for us today.”
The first goal came off a free kick by Tiffany Dimaculangan less than two minutes into the second half.
“Mallory (Mitchell) did a great job to win the ball and was fouled just outside the box,” said Kiely. “Tiff hit it very nicely into the side netting at the far post. It was a well struck ball and it is good to see her getting on the board.”
In the 53rd minute, Dimaculangan passed the ball to Kaitlin Swift who finished with a shot to the far post.
“Kaitlin was a game changer for us today,” noted Kiely. “She came in hungry, probably more than anybody has in the last couple of games. She was going at people, driving lines and getting inside the box. It was fun to see her rewarded with a goal for her effort. It was a nice finish, calm and composed within the box.”
Dimaculangan scored again in the 64th minute after Kaci Mexico passed a ball back to her.
“It was a beautiful shot just under the crossbar,” described Kiely. “Tiff was on today.”
In the 74th minute, Santa Barbara native Jackie Lopez recorded her first collegiate goal in just her third collegiate game. Grace Lemley served the ball from the left side and Lopez headed it into the net.
“Jackie finally got her first goal after being out for a couple of months with injury,” said Kiely. “She not only came back not only from injury but also made the progression to the college game. I look forward to seeing how this propels her. She can be dynamic with great movement on the ball and off the ball. Hopefully, we will see more of that as she gets more confident.”
