Westlake Unimpressed With Marmonte Title

WESTLAKE VILLAGE —  It may have seemed odd that the Westlake High School girls’ soccer team didn’t celebrate after beating Agoura, 2-0, Friday to clinch its second consecutive Marmonte League title.

It’s just that the Warriors are hoping the league title is a steppingstone to a Southern Section championship.

“In a way we knew we were going to win because we wanted it so bad,” said midfielder Jenna Wirtz. “I think we have the best team in the league, it’s just a matter of which team shows up to play.”

After missing their first seven shots, forward Jenna Ainsworth put the Warriors (16-2-3,10-1-1) ahead 1-0 in the 22nd minute. Ainsworth, with her back to the goal, received a pass from Wirtz, quickly turned and unleashed a shot into the upper right corner that Agoura goalkeeper Robin Dowds had no chance to stop.

“Our style is to connect passes and find the target, but the conditions didn’t really allow that today,” said Coach Aerick Brown of Westlake. “People were sliding all over the place so we decided to play more direct. The first goal came that way.”

Midfielder Karen Loftus put the Warriors ahead, 2-0, when she juked a defender, giving her time to set up for a shot that went over Dowds’ head.

The Warriors held Agoura without a shot for the first 15 minutes and didn’t allow the Chargers in the goal box until Emily Skiles’ throw-in was cleared by a defender in the 20th minute.

The Chargers (12-4-2, 8-2-2) came to life for a brief span late in the first half and early in the second half, but nothing came of it. Skiles had the best chances, on two shots inside the 18-yard box, but both sailed wide.

The Warriors have not surrendered a goal in the the last 550 minutes of league play.

“We all know each other well, but I think the biggest thing is the intimidation factor,” said Skiles. “They are strong and they have been winning for many years. They are all good players.”

Westlake hasn’t been a high-scoring team, but a solid defense has kept the Warriors in games. The Warriors set a school record with 17 shutouts this season, while yielding only five goals.

“I think the defense has been a big impact on our game,” said defender Katie McCurdy, whose team outshot Agoura, 16-7.