By Ron Smith
September 18, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) A goal by Erik Guerrero in the 31st minute proved to be all the scoring Westmont Men's Soccer (2-0-2) would need to claim victory in their home opener. The 1-0 win over Cal State East Bay (2-2) extended the Warriors' unbeaten streak to 11 games (8-0-3), dating back into last season.
 
"East Bay is a very difficult opponent," noted Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "They make the game really challenging. Big credit to them for how they condense space and protect space in behind. I thought it was a real challenge to create quality chances against them. It took a special moment from Erik to get us on the scoresheet. I don't know how many clear chances we had in the game."
 
Senior Westmont goalkeeper Brady Highfill, who tallied three saves, was credited with his second shutout of the year and the 11th of his collegiate career. In four games, the Warriors have allowed just three goals, two of which were to NCAA Division I UC Santa Barbara.
 
"East Bay posed such difficult problems with their two forwards that we needed the help of Donovan Howat (in the back) throughout the game to protect us from being in vulnerable one-versus-one situations," said Cathey. "I thought Barrett Goodman, Donovan and Landon Amaral did incredibly well.
 
"It is kind of crazy, but it is almost what we are expecting from this group. That's not easy against an opponent that had scored in every game and is a constant threat with their power up front. It's not easy to defend for 90 minutes against those guys.
 
"I thought our midfield was really good today. The opponent, in the service, today, was not the most conducive for keeping the ball as well as we usually do. At the same time, Erik and Daniel Tuscano were very good on both sides of the ball.
 
"Last season, it took a win at home to Justice College to put our record at home in a good standing. We didn't defend our home field last year in the way that we wanted to. I think today is a good reflection on what we hope to have this year. We want anyone coming here to find it difficult to play against us and also find it difficult to have any joy in the game as well."
 
Just 25 seconds before scoring the game winner, Guerrero just missed on a shot from the right side. The ball got past the keeper, then bounced off the far post and back into play. Moments later, Connor Lynch wrestled the ball away from a Pioneer player and quickly passed it to the middle of the field. Guerrero took a touch with his right foot to elude a defender, then fired with his left from 25 yards out. The ball snuck underneath a diving keeper and inside the left upright for the goal. It was the junior's third goal of the year.
 
In reflecting on the game, Cathey pointed out the contributions of today's non-starters. "This is the first time we have gone a little deeper into our bench. I think that proved to be helpful for the team overall. Alex Reyes, Cole Lomeli, Yordan Marinov, Miguel Alvarado and Michael Stull all had big impacts on the game in positive ways."
 
The Warriors will play twice more at home in the next five days as part of the 15th Heritage Club Classic. On Saturday, Westmont will host CSU San Marcos at noon. San Francisco State and Vanguard will face off against each other at three o'clock. Then on Monday at 12:30 p.m., the Warriors will take on the Gators of San Francisco State to conclude The Classic.