By Ron Smith
October 12, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) It would appear that all Westmont Men's Soccer needed was a bit of water. It was a scoreless game when the center referee stopped the action for a hydration break with the clock reading 20:20. Just two minutes and nine seconds after play resumed, Westmont held a 2-0 lead.
 
Those two goals held up as the Warriors (6-3-3, 3-2 PacWest) posted a 2-1 victory over the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific (2-4-4, 1-3) on Saturday afternoon at Thorrington Field.
 
After the water break, Eric Guerrero took a free kick from just inside the end line and five yards from the side of the 18-yard box. He sent the ball in front of the goal where it was kicked around by both teams before Connor Lynch put it in the left side of the netting for his third goal of the season. Only four seconds had expired since the hydration stoppage.
 
"That first goal was an opportunistic goal," said Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "It was a decision by Connor to use his left foot – his weaker foot – and poke it with his toe into the net. He made really good plays all day."
 
Two minutes and five second later, it was Guerrero who made it a 2-0 game. Daniel Tuscano ran on a loose ball 35 yards from the top of the box and quickly slotted it to Guerrero who got in behind the defense on the right side. Guerrero bent the ball around the left side of the keeper who was coming out of his box, sending it just inside the far post.
 
"Getting in behind their defense was something we were doing consistently all day," noted Cathey. "That was a good combination play."
 
The goal brings Guerrero's goal count to seven on the season and his fourth in PacWest play. The seven overall goals is best in the conference while four in PacWest games ties for the best with Point Loma's Zach Mercieca.
 
Fresno Pacific scored its goal in the 30th minute. A free kick was awarded to the Sunbirds which was taken from 24 yards out by Chris Macias. The ball sailed into the far netting, making it a 2-1 game.
 
That would be the end of scoring but not the end of the game.
 
"I was most proud of our defensive cohesion today," expressed Cathey. "This is the second game in a row in which we have only allowed two shots on goal."
 
The second half was marked with intensity reflected in the calling of 11 fouls (seven on Fresno Pacific, four on Westmont) and the issuing of eight yellow cards (five on the Sunbirds, three on the Warriors). Offensive rhythm was hard to find for either team. The Warriors had the only shot on goal in the second half.
 
With the win, Westmont finds itself in a tie with Biola (5-5-1, 3-1) and Menlo (5-3-1, 3-1) for second place in the conference standings, each of whom have nine points. Point Loma (7-1-3, 5-0-1) sits atop the conference with a tally of 16 points.
 
"Nearly half way through the season, we are pleased to be where we are in the conference standings," said Cathey. "It is almost where we wanted to be and we are excited for the last half of conference play."
 
Before returning to PacWest competition, the Warriors will host the Elks of Stanton at 3:30 p.m. in an exhibition game on Tuesday at Thorrington Field. Then on Saturday, October 19, Westmont will head to Northern California for a conference showdown with Jessup (1-6-4, 1-3-1).