By Ron Smith
September 7, 2024
 
(LACEY, Wash.) Westmont Men's Soccer (1-0-1) finished up its season-opening trip to the Apple State with a 3-0 victory over host Saint Martin's (0-2) on Saturday. The win comes two days after a 1-1 tie with Simon Fraser (B.C.) to start the season.
 
"We knew the environment created a ton of obstacles to overcome," offered Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "The surface of the field was one that didn't allow any team to keep possession for an extended amount of time.
 
"We are a team that wants to possess the soccer ball and enjoys moving the opponent with the soccer ball, and we couldn't do that. In both games, the highlight is that we were required to play a completely different style or brand than we are used to.
 
"Arguably, we were the better team in both games and played very well. We only gave up one goal and only gave up four shots on goal combined. To be as solid in defense as we were in these two games was a huge highlight."
 
In today's game, the Warriors got off to an early start, scoring in just the sixth minute of play. A throw-in from the right touchline, 18 feet from the corner flag, was sent to the end line. Connor Lynch leapt and one-touched the ball with his left foot, sending it to Cole Lomeli. Lomeli settled it with his right foot, took a step with his left, and fired with his right over the arms of the Saints' keeper for his first collegiate goal.
 
"Cole took his chance today and started," said Cathey. "He played really well and struck the ball beautifully. It was fun to have him taste success. The enjoyment of scoring a goal was a good highlight for him. He has been working hard and doing well."
 
The second goal came nine minutes later. Cash Anderholt threw in a ball from the left touchline, 5 yards from the corner flag. The ball was thrown to the near post where a defender headed it out to the top of the 18-yard box. Lomeli one-touched the ball in the air to Landon Amaral who was eight yards out from the goal. Amaral also volleyed the ball, sending it to Erik Guerrero who was 15 yards out. The ball took one bounce on its way to Guerrero who then used one touch to put it inside the right post.
 
"We like putting players in and around the box that technically have the quality, like Erik, to strike the ball well," asserted Cathey. "Erik was, arguably, over the two games, our best player of the weekend. He continues to get better and better in all phases. He brings such a good creativity and such a good calm in the attacking third. He was excellent on the day."
 
More than 74 minutes of soccer would be played before another goal was scored. A ball was sent up to midfield where Jonah Houston used his head to flick it forward. Freshman Yordan Marinov retrieved the ball on the dribble and got past his defender. He then beat an advancing goalkeeper before sending the ball into the center of the net with just 17 seconds remaining in the game. Like Lomeli, it was Marinov's first collegiate goal.
 
"Yordan has been exceptional in all of our preseason games," reported Cathey. "Getting him on the field and in and around the goal is what we want. He has a good knack for finding the target. He did a great job to round the goalkeeper and score the goal."
 
Cathey also pointed to the play of several additional players.
 
"Landon Amaral and Barret Goodman have hit the ground running as far as what they can provide from a leadership standpoint and a defensive standpoint. Their partnership is really good. It's a long time since they have played a competitive game together. I think these first few games have been really good for them to find continuity and get their habits right.
 
"Alex Reyes stepped up big time this weekend. He played a lot of minutes and played well – as did Luis Cortes."
 
"I thought Donovan Howat was exceptional today. He was calm, composed and kept the ball in the right moments. On a field that was so challenging to play, Donovan's touch and control and ability to keep the ball today was really good for us."
 
The Warriors started the 2023 season against the same two opponents, hosting them at Thorrington Field as part of the Heritage Club Classic. Last year, the Warriors lost to both teams without scoring a goal in either game.
 
"Our team has grown in maturity to be one that takes advantage of how the game is asking them to apply themselves," said Cathey. "Last year against these two teams, we created a lot of chances, but we also gave up a lot of easy chances for the opponent. This weekend, there were only two or three moments where we gave the opponent an opportunity from our mistakes. That is probably the biggest difference."
 
The Warriors fly home to prepare for a couple of games in Santa Barbara. The first is next Saturday, September 14, when the Warriors travel across town to take on NCAA Division I UC Santa Barbara. Then on Wednesday, September 18, the Warriors will play their first home game, welcoming the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay to Thorrington Field.
 
"We will have a nice, full week to reassess and reestablish ourselves and go into two fun but difficult games. Everyone will be training fully on Monday. It is a huge advantage early on in the season to have everybody healthy and everybody pushing."
 
Saturday's game at Harder Stadium, on the campus of UCSB, kicks off at 7:00 p.m.