The Westmont men’s soccer team secured its first GSAC regular-season title since 2016 on Thursday when it defeated OUAZ 2-0 and also got some help from Menlo university which beat Vanguard on Thursday as well.
“It is a dream come true,” said Westmont senior captain and goalkeeper Edward “Lalo” Delgado. “For every senior, this is what we dreamed of.”
With the win, Westmont (12-1-1, 6-0-1) will receive a bye in the quarterfinals of the GSAC tournament, will host the GSAC semifinals and championship match, earned GSAC’s host berth in the NAIA National Tournament and will receive an NAIA National Tournament Opening Round bye and enter the tournament in the round of 16.
The Warriors’ first goal on Thursday came in the 27th minute when Tyler Young caught a loose ball and headed it in.
Westmont then got its insurance goal in the second half when Jose Vasquez controlled a corner kick and fired it into the far side of the goal.
The Warriors also tallied their ninth shutout of the season on Thursday. This is only their third outright regular-season conference title since 1998 and fifth when factoring in shared conference crowns.
Westmont will host Arizona Christian (6-8-3, 2-5) on Saturday at noon with a chance to go undefeated in conference play for the first time since 1989.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
WESTMONT 6, OUAZ 0
The Warriors wasted no time getting the scoring started on Thursday as sophomore Katie Stella knocked in two goals in the games first six minutes in what would result in a 6-0 win for Westmont.
With the win, Westmont (12-2-1, 6-1-0) remains tied for first place in the GSAC standings.
Ten minutes later, Maddi Berthoud continued the net action with some help from Stella, who tallied her fifth point of the day with an assist.
In the 37th minute, Isabelle Berthoud recorded her ninth goal of the season to put her team ahead 4-0 by the break. The junior is the second leading goal scorer on the team but just twelfth in minutes played.
The team’s leading goal scorer, Bri Johnson, notched her 11th of the season 72nd minute while freshman Chase Sprink marked the final goal of the evening.
The Warriors’ next game is against Arizona Christian, also tied for first place in the GSAC alongside Vanguard, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Thorrington Field.
A Westmont win will give them the GSAC regular-season championship and the top seed in the conference tournament.
GIRLS TENNIS
TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Seniors Carol Cai and Grace Fuss of Cate school defended their TVL doubles title on Thursday with a straight-set win over Foothill Tech’s Alyssa McClain and Jolie Seemayer.
Cai and Fuss got out to a hot start, winning the first set 6-1 and toughed out a hard second set, 7-5.
Both Cai and Fuss were singles regulars throughout the year, but the two wanted another chance in the CIF tournament after narrowly missing the final rounds last season.
The two will get the opportunity after Thursday’s win.
The Rams also took third place in doubles as Fritze Mayer/Ashi Kamra beat Maxine Tamas/Ami Wallmark of Thacher, 6-2, 6-3.
In the singles final, Helena Insua of St. Bonaventure outlasted Natalie Cheng of Thacher, 6-3, 6-7, 10-7 while Jacqueline Kong of Thacher beat Cate’s Yuki Kobayashi in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, for third place.
CITRUS COAST LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
The battle for third place in the singles portion of the CCL tournament was a long one between Carpinteria’s Sydney Endow and Emma Lapidus.
Eclipsing over two and a half hours, Endow finally came out the victor in three sets, beating her teammate, 6-2 2-6 7-5.
“Each player showed what makes them so special. Emma can defend all day and keep the ball in play with a variety of shots, spins, and location while Sydney is the more aggressive player who has really turned into a strategic, creative player with her ability to wait out points and look to take advantage of short balls,” Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant said.
Carp’s Jeannette Carrillo/Zahra Porinsh also took third place in doubles after Hueneme’s pairing was unable to participate on Thursday.
Third place winners are alternates for the CIF individual tournament if first and second place finishers cannot go.
FRONTIER LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Providence’s Chloe Olsen/Mia Vandever beat Nina Wolff/Xiaxia Taylor to finish in third place in doubles in the Frontier League Individual tournament.
The Providence pair outlasted the Laguna Blanca duo in three sets by scores of 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-2.
In singles, Providence’s Christine Venzor overcame her teammate Ava Vandever in another three-set thriller with set scores of 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5).
Third place winners are alternates for the CIF individual tournament if first and second place finishers cannot go.
The doubles final between Providence’s Elwood/Whited and Laguna Blanca’s Cao/Stein has been postponed due to injury with a later time and date to be determined.
MEN’S SOCCER
SBCC 1, HANCOCK 1
The 17th ranked Vaqueros are still searching for their first WSC win of the season after they drew with Hancock 1-1 on Thursday.
SBCC (7-3-4, 0-2-3) has posted 1-1 ties in the last two games and three of the last four.
The Vaqueros struck first with a goal in the 15th minute courtesy of Adam Chenoweth. SBCC nearly went up two goals going into the break but, after beating the opposing goalkeeper, Roni Spektor’s shot hit the crossbar.
Hancock scored its only goal in the second half in the 62nd minute when Myles Baro tied it up.
The Vaqueros outshot Hancock 18-13 and dominated in shots on goal 13-3. Bulldog goalie Maisen Baro tallied 12 saves.
SBCC’s will host its next match against No. 4 Oxnard at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
email: jmercado@newspress.com
