By Jacob Norling
April 1, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) #17 Westmont (5-1-1, 4-0-1 GSAC) utilized two first half goals to defeat San Diego Christian (5-5, 1-5) by a score of 2-0 on Thursday in Santa Barbara.
 
Westmont had reason to celebrate early for a couple reasons. Before the game the Warriors celebrated four graduating seniors: Zach Godeck, Tyler Young, Jona Romero, and Nick Ruiz.
 
"Number one, I'm just grateful they're still on this team," said Westmont head coach Dave Wolf. "That alone says a lot about those guys to see this through. Secondly, they've produced a lot more this season than I think most people would have predicted. And thirdly, they've led. What a challenging season to have to do so, but every step of the way they have surpassed so many expectations."
 
In the third minute, Westmont continued the celebration when Jona Romero lofted a free kick from fifty yard outs that landed at the feet of Aldo Becerril on the tip of the eighteen. While the ball carried in the air Becerril outran four San Diego defenders and won the ball rather easily. After one dribble Becerril hammered a ball into the net for the early 1-0 lead.
 
"There's an awareness between those two that really starts with Jona," said Wolf. "Aldo likes to get into good positions but Jona has to notice it. Jona has to watch him and see it developing and then Jona has to make that play.
 
"Today was the first day I saw a team reacting to them and verbally saying 'hey watch out for 10 and 26'. The awareness of what those guys have going on right now has definitely made an impact so I think they're going to have to deal with that moving forward. Because I don't think they'll be able to sneak up on guys for much longer."
 
In the 36th minute, Memo Mendoza sent a ball from mid-field to the 18-yard box and Tuscano appeared to have a one on one much like Becerril. Tuscano was dragged down by an opposing defender however, and had to earn the goal via penalty kick. Tuscano buried it to the left side of the net as the Hawks keeper dove in the other direction and Westmont led 2-0.
 
Westmont posted four shots on goal in the first half, while only surrendering one to the opposition.
 
For much of the second half the same trend continued, with Westmont controlling far more than half of possession but with only their first half goals to show for it. For the entirety of the second half Westmont recorded two shots on goal and held the Hawks to one.
 
"I thought we were a little loose today," pointed out Wolf. "I thought we played well, but I also thought there was a looseness from our team in a lot of areas. And we have to figure out as we continue to throw up clean sheets how to keep our foot on the gas and continue getting better."
 
While the offensive attack slowed, Westmont's defense led by senior captains Ruiz and Godeck were as impenetrable as they have been all season. With one game left in the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season, Westmont has only allowed one goal to conference opponents.
 
"I've said it before," said Wolf. "We have a couple of really elite captains that have done a great job. It all starts with Nick and Zach, who have been our constants."
 
Westmont returns to action this Saturday in an exhibition against Cal Lutheran. After next week's regular season finale in San Diego, Westmont will prepare for the GSAC championship game.
 
Following OUAZ's clinch of the GSAC East, Westmont now knows they will meet up with the Spirit in Surprise on April 17, with an automatic bid into the NAIA national tournament on the line.
 
"We know OUAZ has had a great season, and obviously we remember losing to them in the semi-finals last year," said Wolf. "So this gives up an opportunity to demonstrate that we learned something from that and we know that'll be a difficult place to play against a great opponent."