By Ron Smith
November 11, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) "There are moments in a season when you can see the culmination of hard work and application coming to fruition," said Morgan Cathey, the head coach of Westmont Men's Soccer (7-7-3, 7-2-1 PacWest).
 
Today had multiple 'moments' and an abundance of reasons to celebrate a virtual cornucopia of fruit.
 
First, the Warriors concluded the 2023 regular season with a 4-1 victory over Concordia (6-9, 5-5). As a result,
Westmont clinched second in the PacWest standings – a remarkable feat by a team competing in the Division II conference for the first time and doing so with a first-year head coach.
 
The win also resulted in advancing the Warriors to postseason play. Though ineligible for NCAA play this season or next, Westmont Men's Soccer will participate in the 2023 National Christian College Athletic Association Men's Soccer National Championship. The exact date, opponent and location of championship play is yet to be determined, but the Warriors are in.
 
Further cause for celebration came with Cathey earning his 100th career win as a head coach. Cathey now has a career record of 100-65-27 (.591).
 
Those things would be more than enough 'moments' for most days, but there was more.
 
"Today was also a chance to celebrate the seniors and all of their hard work and dedication to this program, to this college and to each other," expressed Cathey. "It was such a beautiful experience to be a part of today."
 
Before kick-off, seniors Landon Amaral, Abraham Arteaga, Aldo Becerril, Donovan Howat, Matthew Morgan, Braeden Pryor and Daniel Tuscano were joined on the field by members of their families as they were honored for their contributions to Westmont Men's Soccer.
 
A recording of today's senior celebration can be viewed at the beginning of the video of today's game, available in the "On Demand" section of the Westmont Athletics portal at: https://athletics.westmont.edu/video
 
In today's victory, Westmont played like an inspired team.
 
"To highlight a few individuals after today's performance would be difficult based on how many players performed at a really high level," noted Cathey. "All of our attacking midfield players were incredible today and everyone who contributed across the front line did really well.
 
"I thought Barrett Goodman was outstanding throughout the game today in stopping every potential situation against a team that is very good in transition, the way that Concordia is. As he has been throughout the season, I thought Landon Amaral was such an incredible performer at the back."
 
The Warriors got on the board in the 25th minute and claimed a 1-0 win. Pryor ran on a pass from Matthew Morgan that had been deflected by a Concordia player. Pryor passed the ball diagonally along the ground ahead of Erik Guerrero. The junior forward ran on the ball, took one touch, then fired from 21 yards in front of goal with his left foot, sending the ball inside the near post for his second goal of the year.
 
Westmont added to its lead with a goal by Pryor in the 34th minute – his eighth of the year. Leonel Olivo Ortiz intercepted a Concordia pass and raced down the field and into the 18-yard box. Ortiz forwarded the ball to Daniel Tuscano who was running ahead of him. Tuscano sent the ball across the six-yard box to Pryor who was running toward the goal. The ball stayed out of the reach of three Concordia defenders and connected with Pryor who redirected it into the netting.
 
Westmont further extended its advantage in the 57th minute. Guerrero sent a free kick down the right touch line to Pryor who then lofted it to the corner of the six-yard box. The ball found the head of Cash Anderholt who recorded his first collegiate goal with a flick of his head that sent the ball into the far crease.
 
The Warriors' final goal came in the 77th minute. Becerril intercepted a pass near midfield and immediately sent it back toward goal. Olivo Ortiz broke for the goal, ran on the ball, dribbled toward the goal on a breakaway, and fired with his right-foot from 14-yards out. The ball sailed into the far crease for Becerril's fifth goal of the season.
 
Stay tuned over the next few days to the Official Athletics Website (https://athletics.westmont.edu) for more information regarding Westmont's postseason play.