Soccer (Varsity)
vs. Westminster School

On Wednesday afternoon, The Ethel Walker School’s varsity soccer team earned a 2-0 victory when they hosted Westminster in a Founder’s League contest. With the result, Walker’s remained unbeaten at home this fall while earning their first shutout of the season.

In the opening half, the teams were back and forth with both teams recording seven shots in the half, and each goalie recording five saves. After 33 minutes, Walker’s found the breakthrough to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. Emily Sanchez ’26 stepped in front of a pass and stole the ball in the backline. She found Esther Asamoah ’28 in the midfield who sprung the ball wide to the left to Gigi Peña ’26. Peña played the ball out wide to the right side to Jani Weber ’26 whose first touch went to goal and her pass back found Peña six yards out for a one-touch finish into the back of the net.

In the second half, Walker’s held their momentum and controlled the run of the play as they continued to create chances to get forward. It was not until there were 12 minutes remaining when they finally put in the second goal. The hosts ran a good offside trap throughout the afternoon and they caught Westminster offside about 15 yards outside of the home team’s defensive box. Goalkeeper Jenna Hamel ’25 took the ensuing free kick, and she found Peña in the middle of the field. Peña turned and played Allison Hayes out to the right one-timed a pass forward to Weber. Weber just managed to be first to the ball in between the Westminster goalkeeper and last defender, and her shot caromed off the shins of the goalie and over the line.

Over the course of the final 12 minutes, Westminster tried to press forward, but Hamel did well coming off her line and she managed the game well along with her defensive line. Hamel finished the afternoon with five saves to her fourth career shutout. ON the season, Peña now leads the Wildcats with 11 goals and eight assists.

Walker’s will return to action on Saturday with another Founder’s League contest when they host Miss Porter’s as part of Family Weekend. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00.