Box Score The Master's women's soccer season has come to an end.
No. 1-seed Westmont scored two goals in the first half and two goals in the second half as they defeated the No-5 seed Lady Mustangs 4-0 in the semi-finals of the GSAC Tournament played in Santa Barbara Thursday.
For Head Coach
Curtis Lewis, it was his last game on the sidelines after 16 years with The Master's women's soccer team. It was also the final game for seniors
Alexandria Dunn,
Ellie Radmilovich,
Seren Tamayo,
Katie Caldwell,
Alexis Mendoza and
Shelby Willis.
"A bummer of a way to end the season," Lewis said. "We really struggled putting anything together today and Westmont was very good. Having a young team you can't really prepare them for the tsunami that you face with a solid Westmont on their field."
The Master's (5-8-5) had a plan early and put pressure on the Warriors at the start. But after Westmont scored in the 22nd minute, the Lady Mustangs's pressure deflated, giving the Warriors a wave of momentum they rode the rest of the way.
Westmont out-shot The Master's 19-2 for the match, with 11 of those shots on goal. The Warriors also tallied 11 corner kicks while the Lady Mustangs could only generate one.
Hannah Burke and
Shelby Willis had the shots for The Master's.
"Overall this team really over-performed this year and to that I am so proud of them," Lewis said of the team that only lost one game in the last seven they played. "So many memories from this group and they have a bright future ahead of them. It was sweet to have all of the seniors on the field at the end to honor them. They have given so much to the program over the years."
For
Curtis Lewis, it brings an end to a very long chapter in his life. It started in 1998 when he entered The Master's as a Biblical Studies major. A four-year starter on the men's team, he was named All-GSAC in 2001 and made the NCCAA All-American team. After taking over as head coach of the women's team in 2007, Lewis was a three-time GSAC Coach of the Year, including by unanimous selection this season, and the NCCAA Coach of the Year in 2009 when he led the Lady Mustangs to the NCCAA National Championship.
"It has been such a privilege and honor to coach here at TMU for the last 16 years," he said. "From 1998 when I was a player to 2022 when I leave as a coach, I have enjoyed each and every year at this special institution. Our family has only had the year of 2006 that we have not been players or coaches and so it is the end of a long story.
"To be able to coach with your wife and brother-in-law for so many years was an amazing journey. I want to thank Deann and Doug for so many years of coaching alongside me. So many players who have come through our program and now are walking faithfully with the Lord is why we do what we do.
"Titus, my son, was in tears with the loss today as this is all he has known. He really loves these girls and they have been so great to my kids over the years.
"Now I get the chance to help more with Natalie's therapies and work closer so I can serve my wife better at home.
"It is a bittersweet reality. I have learned that God doesn't always give us storybook endings. But His endings are always good.
"Thanks for your grace along the journey."
