By Ron Smith
October 21, 2023
 
(HONOLULU) Leonel Olivo Ortiz was feeling right at home on the island of Oahu, leading Westmont Men's Soccer (4-6-2, 4-1 PacWest) to a 5-3 win over the Silverswords of Chaminade (0-9-3, 0-5-2 PacWest) on Saturday afternoon. The freshman forward from Santa Barbara tallied one goal and three assists, contributing to four of the Warriors' five goals.
 
The Warriors scored early in the contest. Recording the first goal in just the third minute of play. Olivo Ortiz recovered a ball in the left corner, dribbled past three defenders, then passed it off to Erik Guerrero who was all alone at the top of the 18-yard box. Guerrero needed just one touch to send the ball inside the near post with his left foot.
 
"Leo, with his three assists and one goal, was spectacular today," said Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "He was electric. His assist to Eric was exceptional. Eric was fantastic. He was at the heart of many of the great offensive moments today."
 
In the 15th minute, Westmont added another goal to take a 2-0 lead. From the Warriors' defensive side of the midfield line, Olivo Ortiz sent a ball along the ground down the middle of the field. Braeden Pryor, the intended target, ran on the ball from the right side, beating the Silverswords keeper to the ball. Pryor tapped it on a diagonal to his left, leaving the keeper out of the play. He then ran that ball down and fired into an empty net for the goal.
 
"I thought to get on the scoresheet and see how aggressive we were in the final third in the first 20 minutes was fantastic," said Cathey. "We were in a very good rhythm. However, their first shot on goal caught us off guard and stopped our momentum.
 
Chaminade responded to Pryor's goal with shots on goal by Paoloa Colello and Owen Caba, both resulting in saves by Westmont goalkeeper Brady Highfill. However, Caba connected on a shot from 25 yards out in the 32nd minute to make it a 2-1 game.
 
"At halftime, we talked about regaining the momentum we had in the first 20 minutes," noted Cathey.
 
The Silverswords found the equalizer in the 52nd minute when Ryan Anderson dribbled in from the right-hand side toward the goal and score from nine-yards out. However, the Warriors recaptured the advantage just three minutes later.
 
Pryor liberated the ball from a Silversword in the Warriors' defensive half. He quickly sent a pass over the top, connecting with Olivo Ortiz as he was breaking for the goal. Olivo Ortiz ran on the pass about 35 yards out, dribbled one-on-one toward the goal from the left-hand side, then placed his shot in the right-side netting.
 
In the 64th minute, John Ruetschle recorded his first goal of the year to give Westmont a two-goal lead (4-2). Ruetschle redirected a cross by Connor Lynch from the right-hand side.
 
In the 77th minute, Michael Stull added the fifth Warrior goal, Olivo Ortiz crossed the ball from the left side to the right, connecting with Stull about 40 yards out. Stull dribbled toward the goal before firing from just above the box, burying the shot in the far crease to give Westmont a 5-2 lead.
 
Chaminade's Remo Merlo scored the game's final goal in the 82nd minute, but it would not be enough.
 
With the win, Westmont is now tied for third place in the PacWest Conference with Hawai'i Hilo (7-6, 4-3), who lost today to Point Loma (9-4, 5-1). With 12 points, Westmont is one point behind second place Dominican (6-4-3, 4-1-1) and three points behind conference leader Point Loma.
 
The Warriors will stay in Oahu to take on Hawai'i Pacific (4-7-2, 2-4-1) on Tuesday. Kick-off at Waipio Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. local time.