DENVER – The Fort Lewis College (2-0-2) women's soccer team picked up its second consecutive shutout on Friday after battling to a scoreless draw against Westmont College (0-3-3).
Westmont held a narrow 8-7 edge in shots, but Fort Lewis gained the advantage in shots on goal at 5-3. The Warriors held a significant advantage in corner kicks with eight opportunities, including seven in the second half. Westmont was whistled for 10 fouls compared to just four for Fort Lewis. Freshman Hayley Hamilton made her collegiate debut, playing 26 minutes and adding one shot.
Sophomore goalkeeper Trinity Lujan secured the shutout with three saves to go along with numerous strong reads in front of goal. Each of the Skyhawks' five shots on goal came from a different player, including one from senior Jenna Salazar in the second half that sparked the team's best scoring opportunity.
The Warriors came out of the gate with two shots in the first five minutes, including one that tested Lujan in goal. Freshman Emma Gurule got her first look in the 10th minute with a shot on goal that was collected by the keeper. The teams traded possession through the middle portion of the half before the Skyhawks generated more offensive pressure in the closing minutes.
Hamilton added her first career shot in the 42nd minute after senior Amber Otts carried the ball into the attacking third. Hamilton settled the ball, made a quick turn, and fired a shot that missed high. Junior Mia Duncan followed with a shot on goal in the 43rd minute that was collected by the Westmont keeper.
Fort Lewis began the second half with a shot from sophomore Tristen Fought just two minutes in, and Lujan added another save in the 55th minute to keep the match scoreless. Westmont threatened again in the 59th minute, but a strong defensive effort from the Skyhawks disrupted the opportunity and forced the shot high.
Sophomore Addyson Carpentier put a dangerous attempt on goal from 45 yards out on a free kick, but Westmont's keeper got a hand on the ball near the upper-left corner. Fort Lewis had its best look of the match in the 75th minute when Salazar put a strong shot on goal. The keeper's deflected save fell to freshman Maleia Dayao from 10 yards out, but her second-chance attempt was also saved.
Westmont looked dangerous in the 83rd minute after earning a free kick following a Fort Lewis yellow card. The initial service missed its target, but the deflection eventually found a Warriors player before Otts made a veteran play to clear the ball away and concede a corner kick. The ensuing corner found the head of a Westmont forward, whose attempt went wide.
The Warriors generated a flurry of corner kicks late in the half, each of which was well defended by the Skyhawks to preserve the scoreless draw. Westmont earned its eighth and final corner in the 89th minute, sending a cross into traffic that was collected by Lujan.
Fort Lewis (2-0-2) returns home on Sunday for a nonconference match against Adams State University (4-0-1). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Dirks Field.
