By Ron Smith
November 22, 2024
 
(WICHITA FALLS, Texas) The run for Westmont Men's Soccer has come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Warriors fell to Cal Poly Pomona by a score of 2-1, completing the year with a record of 12-5-4 and Westmont's first appearance in a Division II tournament.
 
"The result wasn't what we wanted, but I think the performance was pretty good," offered Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "Cal Poly was very good in moments of transition. It is a credit to our guys that we had the ball for so much of the game. We had two chances in the second half in the box to create something, but they defend the box so well. It's the reason why they have only given up 15 goals on the season. They have done a really good job defending those moments."
 
The Warriors fell behind early when a pass from Sam Lena across the face of the goal made its way to Mike Moser. From 16 yards out on the right side, Moser put the ball inside the near post to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead in the second minute.
 
"It's always going to be hard, but I think we gave them their chances while we earned ours," assessed Cathey. "That is where we have to be better – not giving them those chances and making sure we take ours. That will be a great lesson for our guys to learn and grow from and to be better because of that."
 
Westmont produced an equalizer in the 21st minute. From outside the penalty area, Leonel Olivo Ortiz passed a ball back to Daniel Tuscano on the right side. Tuscano served a ball in from 30 yards out beyond the far post where Cash Anderholt was waiting. Anderholt headed the ball down sharply and in front of the goal where Connor Lynch had positioned himself. Lynch used his right foot to send the ball past a defender and into the netting.
 
The game remained tied at one goal apiece for the next 62 minutes as each team had its chances. However, both defenses stood the test. For the Warriors, that included goalkeeper Mario Floriano who was making his first start as a Warrior.
 
"We try very hard to have two great players in every position," noted Cathey. "All year long, we have had guys step into moments of need and Mario did it today and did it really well. In the first half, the save that kept us in the game was the one-on-one. I thought he read it perfectly. He opened a little bit of the goal and then closed it really well. It was textbook. His distribution was also very good."
 
Floriano tallied five saves in the game, all of which were on quality shots by the Broncos.
 
"For him, it has been a lot to adjust to the way we want to play," said Cathey. "He did it really well. I am super proud of him, like so many of our guys.
 
"At the end of the first half, we had seven or eight players on the field that this is their first year in the program. That goes to show you that we can progress in the program and at the same time trust these players because they have proven themselves by working so hard. They are engaged in the process of who we want to be and what we want to be. It is a testament to all of those guys."
 
The tie was broken in the 83rd minute. Lena dribbled down the left touchline, then turned toward goal before serving in a low line drive across the goal's face. After a single bounce by the ball, Mads Frederiksen volleyed in the game winner with 7:10 remaining on the game clock.
 
"It is great to be here," noted Cathey after the game. "I think our guys will feel hard done that we didn't get the result today. I think we haven't just earned the right to be here, but we played very good football today. We had moments to win the game. Our guys have to be proud of where this program is at and it is only going to continue to improve from here. We are excited about getting back to work."
 
For some, however, today marked the end of their collegiate careers: Miguel Alvarado, Landon Amaral, Brady Highfill, Jonah Houston, Donovan Howet, Jordan Graeme, Connor Lynch, Isaiah Pichon, Michael Stull, and Daniel Tuscano.
 
"Those 10 guys are so unique and so special," expressed an emotional coach. "What marks them is that every time they have needed to step up, they stepped up. They love the responsibility and taking ownership. They are the most mature group of young men I have ever coached.
 
That is what happens when you bring in all these guys as freshmen. They grow and they learn and they give. In the end, they can be counted on in ways that other teams can't. It's special and such a credit to the coaches that have been here before – Dave Wolf, Johnny Whalon and Tovi Eliason – and what they have given to help these guys grow as young men. I'm just reaping the reward of being around such great young men. It is easy to coach them.