LONDON, Ont. – Second-year striker Vanessa Guglietti recorded her first goal of the season Sunday afternoon at Mustangs Field to help Western cap off their four-game season opening home stand with a 1-0 win over the Brock Badgers.
 
"I thought for the majority of the game we played fairly well, controlled possession, defended well…. I thought it was a good team performance overall," said Mustangs head coach Martin Painter.
 
With the win the Mustangs move to 3-1-0 and are tied for third on the OUA West standings alongside the Waterloo Warriors and Laurier Golden Hawks. Brock falls to 1-2-2 with the loss and occupy seventh place in the West.
 
It was strong start to the game by both squads, who each played a very defensive style game, with the Mustangs outshooting the Badgers 3-0 in the opening 45 minutes.
 
After a Brock corner kick was shut down by Mustang goalkeeper Julianna Guglietti, Western retained control of the ball and shortly after made their mark on the scoreboard when Vanessa Guglietti capitalized off a pass from Kendra Marlatt in the 40th minute to record the only goal of the game. 
 
"It was a long ball by Jenna and then Kendra headed it and I was in the 18-yard box and just shot it as hard as I could," said Vanessa Guglietti on her first half goal.
 
"Vanessa's finishes in training all week have been fantastic so, it was no surprise to see her score," said Painter. "She's a great player and special moments like that, that's what we need and it made the difference today."
 
The Badgers pressed to tie the game in the second half, however Julianna Guglietti stopped each of Brock's two shots on net to secure the 1-0 win for the Mustangs.
 
 "I think we controlled the majority of the game," said Vanessa Guglietti following the win. "We were pressing really hard and fighting individually. Everyone was working really hard so, I think we deserved to win."
 
After four games at home to start the season, the Mustangs next challenge will take them on the road for the first time, as they'll take on the OUA West leading Windsor Lancers on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
 
"Absolutely, I think going on the road will be good," said Painter when asked if he's excited for the team's first road trip of the year. "With such a young team, having the first road trip will be exciting for the girls and we're looking forward to it."