Kelsey Steck’s first-half goal was all Westmont needed to defeat Vanguard in a battle of NAIA top-25 women’s soccer teams on Wednesday in Costa.
The Warriors’ 1-0 victory vaulted them from fourth place into a three-way tie for first in the GSAC.
Steck’s gamd winner game in the 13th minute.
“It was a great individual effort by Kelsey,” said Westmont head coach Kristi Kiely. “She drove at a couple of defenders, beat them and got a very nice shot up. The keeper saved it but Kelsey was there for the follow-up and she put it nicely in the corner of the net.”
Westmont, ranked 11th in the NAIA, improves to 11-3 and 6-2 in the GSAC. No. 10 Vanguard is 13-2-1, 6-2.
Both teams got off 12 shots during the contest. Half of the Warriors shots were on goal compared to just two for the Lions.
“I thought Tiffany Dimaculangan was the player of the game and I thought Sophie Fuller was right there beside her,” assessed Kiely. “They made a huge difference for us in a very tight game. We knew that we were going to be coming into a tough environment – Senior Day for Vanguard, on the road and a lot on the line. I’m proud of the team for stepping up in that way.”
In other GSAC action, Biola (12-3, 6-2) claimed a share of first place with a 1-0 win over San Diego Christian in overtime.
Two games remain in the GSAC season.
