By Ron Smith
October 11, 2025
 
(FRESNO, Calif.) In a rematch of last year's PacWest Championship game, Westmont Men's Soccer (5-4-1, 1-2 PacWest) faced off with Fresno Pacific (4-5, 3-1). The Warriors came from behind, despite being down a man, to claim a 2-1 victory and extend the series winning streak to five in a row.
 
"We knew going into the game that the focus wasn't on the need to get a result," stated Westmont head coach Morgan Cathey. "The focus was on the need to play with confidence and belief in ourselves individually, and with a grit and work effort that is typically indicative of what Westmont soccer is all about."
 
Fresno Pacific struck first, scoring off a corner kick in the 25th minute. Chris Macias served in the ball from the left corner. The ball found Brandon Lopez in front of the net who headed it inside the near post to give the Sunbirds a 1-0 lead. That was the only goal in the opening frame.
 
"In the first half, I thought we played the best half of soccer we played this year," assessed Cathey. "Unfortunately, we were playing a good team in Fresno who is very good at creating dangerous set play opportunities from every situation and we gave up a couple of those opportunities.

"We knew that they could pin you back with their long throw-ins and that their service from set plays was so good. Unfortunately, we conceited one of their eight or nine set-play opportunities in our defensive third in the first half.
 
"Other than that, they didn't create a chance during the run of play and were not even close to a chance during the run of play. So, I thought we were in control in the first half and I thought we played excellent in possession of the football and created really good opportunities. Towards the end of the first half, I think we were unlucky not to score.
 
"Going to halftime, I think our guys had belief because there was a confidence that we were playing well and that chances were going to come. Fresno, we knew, had conceded 11 of their 13 goals this season in the second half. We felt like if we could stay in the game, and make sure that we were fresh and purposeful in the second half to be more aggressive towards the goal, that we would find more success."
 
In the 54th minute, Westmont suffered another blow when Cash Anderholt was issued a red card after tangling with a Fresno Pacific player near midfield. Despite strenuous protests from the Westmont coaching staff, the red card stood and the Warriors found themselves down a goal and down a man.
 
Two minutes later, however, Westmont's prospects greatly improved when Kristian Johnson scored his first collegiate goal. Johnson received a pass at mid-field, near the left touchline, then dribbled down the left flank. Three Warriors paralleled his run in the center of the field, setting up what could have been a nice cross. However, about 14 yards from the end line, Johnson pulled up, shaking his defender, then fired with his right foot, driving the ball into the far crease.
 
"KJ found his form today and I think that's why I'm just so happy for him," said Cathey of Johnson. "Then -to get the goal that he had - you can see how much it meant to him and how much it meant to us as a team because we really believe in him."
 
In the 71st minute, Erik Guerrero took a free kick five yards short of the midfield stripe. His service went into the 18-yard block before being headed back out of the box by a defender. Cole Lomeli, who was about 30 yards from the goal, took a step back, then timed his shot so that after the ball bounced once he fired with his right foot, sending it into the right crease.
 
"Cole is a young man from here in Fresno and he had such an excellent game up to that point," reflected Cathey. "It was so cool for him to get the game winning goal. To do it in such a superb way and in such a cool moment (being down a man) – I was just so happy to be a part of that moment as a coach.
 
"I don't know how we continue to go down a man and down a goal and find a way to win the game," offered Cathey. "I think it's just down to this team's character and determination and belief in themselves.
 
"The two goals that we scored were outrageous finishes from both KJ and Cole. Really, their belief in themselves and the confidence that they had in themselves to take those chances from those moments is something we haven't seen. I think those goals were so indicative of what we brought to the game today, which was a confidence and a belief in ourselves and the guys next to us. Westmont soccer was shown in full display today."
 
This is the second time this season Westmont has rallied from a situation in which they were both a man down and a goal behind. The first time was at Cal State East Bay on September 24 when the Warriors rallied to win 3-2. After that game, Cathey said, "I haven't ever been part of a game when we have been down a man and down a goal and found a way to win.'
 
Now he has. Twice.
 
Lomeli's goal gave Westmont a 2-1 lead with just under 20 minutes to play. Fresno Pacific's offense intensified its press, hoping to take advantage of Westmont's shorthandedness. The Warrior defense, however, proved to be sufficient to the challenge.
 
After the Warriors took the lead, the Sunbirds took seven shots, five of which were on goal, none of which scored. For the entire game, Fresno Pacific took 20 shots to Westmont's seven. The Warriors' goalkeeper, Aidan Strickler, tallied eight saves.
 
"Aidan was unbelievable today," said Cathey.
 
While Cathey regarded the win as a 'whole team effort', he was particularly gratified with the performance of Yordan Marinov.
 
"Yordon is coming back this fall from injury," explained Cathey. "He is six to seven months out from his meniscus tear and he's been unfortunate to not find himself more opportunities on the field. He's been working so hard and we wanted to give him the opportunity to play and start today. I thought he took the chance with both hands. I thought he was really good for us and I am really proud of him."
 
Cathey was also proud of the play of his freshmen class. "We're trying to do this the right way. To have the freshmen come in and impact the game the way they did was rewarding. Chase Seager came in for KJ and was exceptional. Logan Race was unbelievable. Geb Wilcox was awesome."
 
In all, seven true freshmen took the pitch during the game for the Warriors, two of whom started. By contrast, all of Fresno Pacific's starters were juniors, seniors or graduate students. One sophomore entered the game as a substitute. The Sunbirds did not play any freshmen.
 
With the first conference win under their belts, the Warriors will head south on Wednesday to take on the Cougars of Azusa Pacific (4-5-1, 3-0). Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.