By Jacob Norling
March 18, 2021
 
(COSTA MESA, Calif.) #10 Westmont (4-1, 3-0 GSAC) remained unbeaten in Golden State Athletic Conference play on Thursday evening, defeating the Vanguard Lions (3-3, 1-2) 3-0 in Costa Mesa.
 
In the first ten minutes of play the Lions gave the Warriors as much as they could handle, recording four shots including one on Westmont keeper Måns Ingvarson. Westmont's defense led by Nick Ruiz and Zach Godeck was able to weather the storm however, and give their offense a chance to find their footing.
 
In the 10th minute, Samuel Tuscano found his footing and then some, dribbling his way past the Vanguard defense and continuing his torrid trend to start GSAC play with his fourth goal of the season.
 
Coach Dave Wolf said, "Sam has really been superb for us all year long. At this point we can count on him coming up big, and in big games too. To have a player with his ability in our lineup right now is special."
 
After those first ten minutes, Westmont did not allow a shot on goal for over a half-hour, going back to their calm pace of play built upon their ability to possess in their own half of the field.
 
In the 43rd minute, Austin Tubbs had a shot on Ingvarson that prompted the keeper to slide to his right and secure the ball in front of his near post. On the ensuing play, Ingvarson was tested again when Joey Barry shot a ball from 20 yards out that was ticketed for the upper-right corner of the net. Ingvarson had to shuffle to his left and leave his feet to snare Barry's shot, but did so successfully to hold onto the shutout.
 
In the 57th minute, Vanguard's Blake Tourville fouled a Westmont player in the 18-yard box, prompting a yellow card from the center referee, and more importantly giving Westmont a penalty kick. Tuscano took the penalty kick for the Warriors and shot it towards the inner right post, but Vanguard keeper James Choi guessed correctly and beat Tuscano's shot with a dive to his left, smothering the ball in front of the goal line.
 
In the 65th minute, Westmont's attempt for their second goal would not be denied. Off of a counter following a Vanguard corner kick, Westmont got the ball to speedster Owen Bates at midfield. Bates flew past the Lions defense and shot a bullet past an oncoming Choi that put the Warriors up 2-0.
 
"For Owen to keep his head up this whole time when things haven't quite gone his way and still have the fortitude to take a chance like that is big," said coach Wolf. "That was really the critical moment of the game and he deserves a lot of credit for maintaining a positive attitude while searching for that goal."
 
 
In the 68th minute, another hard foul in the box gave Westmont a second chance at a penalty kick against Choi. This time, coach Wolf elected to have Braeden Pryor take it, and Pryor buried it in the left pocket of the net for his team-leading 5th goal of the season.
 
Ingvarson made his fifth and most impressive save of the day in the 83rd minute, punching a high velocity shot by Markus Garcia up and over the net, keeping his shutout intact. It would be the last challenge for Ingvarson and the Warriors to have to worry about, as the Warriors cruised to a 3-0 lead minutes later.
 
"I think that a lot of Man's confidence comes from comfort with the group playing in front of him," said Wolf. "They've developed into a collective and cohesive unit and we've not given up many chances and the ones that we have, he's been well positioned to deal with."
 
Vanguard outshot Westmont 20-9 on the day, but Westmont put more on target (6-5) and ultimately made them count throughout the match, with their three goals being a GSAC season high for the club. Westmont has not allowed a goal in GSAC play, and hasn't allowed one in general since February 10.
 
"I don't imagine a lot of people would have expected us to be where we are right now," said Wolf. "We had an incredible season last year and with that, moved on from an incredible group of players. I think for these guys to have found a way to move past last year, put it in the rearview mirror, and just get after it with this version of this team has me in awe of what they're doing right now.
 
"We have a couple of really elite captains, in Nick Ruiz and Zach Godeck. Playing aside, what they've been able to do leading a new and in some cases very young team, amidst some unexpected turnover, it's all the more remarkable to me. With what this team has going on right now, those two have had a big role to play, and it shouldn't go unnoticed."
 
Westmont returns to action next Thursday in Fullerton when they travel down south to play Hope International in their next GSAC match. Due to local and state mandates spectators will not be permitted to attend in person. However, links to live broadcasts will be available on the Westmont athletics website.