By Ron Smith
August 19, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Men's Soccer and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos renewed their storied rivalry on Saturday night in the 60th meeting between the two teams. While the Warriors fell to the Gauchos by a score of 5-1, Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey found a lot to be encouraged about.
 
"We can take so many positives away," asserted Cathey. "We created a lot of chances in the game, which, I think, is a change. Our guys can take that positive away. I was very happy with so many guys coming out and playing with huge bravery and courage right from the start."
 
An unintended consequence of the transition to NCAA Division II is that the start of training camp for soccer came about two weeks later than in past years.
 
"The game was a tale of two halves," noted Cathey. "You could see the difference between that team that has been training for three weeks (UCSB) and the team that has been training for four days (Westmont).
 
"In the first half we were fine. Our energy was fine and we controlled most moments in the half. The only chances they had were from our mistakes, which were only a few. In the second half, they tactically changed to the diamond in midfield and it took us too long to adjust. We haven't had enough time to prepare the guys for that. Unfortunately, by the time we made adjustments in the right way, they had already scored two more. I think at that moment we struggled to respond in the right way."
 
The only goal scored in the first half was on a penalty kick by the Gauchos' Alexis Ledoux after Nemo Philipp was taken down in the box in the 16th minute.
 
Westmont goalkeeper Brady Highfill was credited with 10 saves in the game as he impressed the crowd with several dazzling plays. In just seven seconds of play in the 36th minute, Highfill turned away the Gauchos three times during a mad scramble in front of the net.  
 
"He was big time today," said Cathey of Highfill. "He had a great first few days and I thought that he was not only in control stopping shots, but I thought his distribution was phenomenal. For how many times he had to make decisions, I can't fault him on anything except some proficiency in the longer pass."
 
Westmont's offensive highlight came in the 66th minute, courtesy of Michael Stull. The junior forward was harassing the Gaucho's center backs who eventually passed it forward to Kavi Krishnan. Krishnan attempted to pass it back to the keeper, David Mitzner. However, Stuff intercepted the ball 20 yards from goal and touched it forward past a charging Mitzner. With the net untended, Stull fired from six yards out from the end line and five yards left of the six-yard box, putting the ball in the far side netting.
 
"If there is a definition of earning a goal, today it was Michael Stull," praised Cathey. "I thought he was really good for us today. To have him hold the ball, keep the ball, link play and be a threat gave us so many opportunities. For sure, he earned the mistake from the goalkeeper. That is not an easy finish. That finish is missed more times than it is made. I am proud of him for being poised and composed in the moment to finish."
 
With the win, UCSB now holds a series advantage of 32-24-4 (.567) and has won the last five meetings. Westmont's last win was in 2017 when the Warriors prevailed by a score of 2-1.
 
"I hope that everyone who came to watch saw a team that was playing with every single thing they could and a whole team involved in every moment," expressed Cathey. "The Westmont community can be proud of the guys."
 
The Warriors return to the field on Thursday, August 24, for a scrimmage against the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino at Thorrington Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.