Box Score By Ron Smith
August 30, 2025
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Men's Soccer traveled across town to take on the Gauchos of NCAA Division I UC Santa Barbara for the 63rd time. Though the Warriors lost by a score of 4-3, Morgan Cathey was pleased with his squad's performance in the exhibition contest.
 
"I think our guys have to be really proud of themselves," stated Cathey. "For the alumni and everyone that was here supporting us, I think they will be very happy and proud of our effort.
 
"Chances were there for us. We are still learning about our players and they are learning about themselves. They are learning how to defend and how to attack in the right ways. I am so happy for our guys."
 
Westmont opened the scoring in the fifth minute on a goal by Cooper Matthews. Cole Lomeli collected a clearance on the right side and slotted a ball along the ground to Matthews at the top of the 18-yard box. Matthews tapped the ball forward on the right side and spun around his defender, putting him one-on-one with the Gaucho keeper Owen Beninga. As Beninga slid forward, Matthews shot the ball past him with his right foot, burying the shot into the back of the netting.
 
However, the lead would not last long. Just 25 seconds later in the sixth minute, Ethan Senter scored for the Gauchos after collecting a clearance. From 28-yards away, Senter sent the ball just inside the left upright.
 
The Gauchos took the lead in the 11th minute after Dominick Phanco had a shot deflect off a Warrior defender and back into play. The ball bounced to Zac Siebenlist on the right side who one-touched it across the goal into the left-side netting to give UCSB a 2-1 advantage.
 
The final goal of the first half came in the 12th minute when a cross from the Gaucho's Colby Renton was inadvertently redirected into the goal by a Warrior defender for an own goal, making the score 3-1.
 
"We are in a process, obviously, and we saw our process encapsulated in just one game," said Cathey. "We played a great goal and played very well in the first five minutes. Then we concede three shocking goals. I think it is indicative of growing pains."
 
After halftime, Westmont held the momentum for the majority of the second half.
 
"I think UCSB had three chances in the second half," said Cathey. "Two of them were well worked by them, but one was a bad back pass from us and they capitalized on that opportunity. Other than that, I thought we were in complete control throughout the game."
 
In the 58th minute, the Gaucho's Buba Fofanash took advantage of the misplay and scored one-on-one with the Warrior keeper.
 
"We created a lot of chances," asserted Cathey. "If we don't concede that goal, I think we level the game and maybe have the most momentum if the game carries on for another 10 minutes. We were defending well against transition. So, I am very happy for our guys."
 
In the 75th minute, Westmont scored its second goal to make the score 4-2. Freshman Geb Wilcox stole the ball away from a Gaucho defender in the right corner. Wilcox passed the ball to Leonel Olivo Ortiz in the box. Olivo Ortiz shot from 14 yards out on the right side, landing the ball in the left-side netting.
 
Three minutes later, Westmont thought it had pulled within a goal when freshman Weston Ash headed a ball into the net off a cross from Alex Reyes. However, the goal was waived off when offside was called.
 
Two minutes later, in the 80th minute, a shot by Ash hit the post, but went left of the goal.
 
Then in the 88th minute, Ash sent another header goalward. Matthews crossed the ball in and Ash sent the ball inside the near post to make it a 4-3 game.
 
"I thought all but maybe two of our players had an exceptional performance tonight," said Cathey. "Weston in particular was a monster. We told him he needed to bring a spark and he brought a spark. He is such a good presence in the box. His timing of arrival in the box is so good. I thought he did really well. He chose his moments when to come deep, learning when to press and how to press."
 
The Warriors used 20 different players during the game, while the Gauchos sent 21 to the pitch.
 
"At one point, we had five freshmen on the field and we were in control of the game," said Cathey. "We started three freshmen and two freshmen got on the scoresheet."
 
Tonight's contest at Harder Stadium brings an end to Westmont's preseason games. The regular season begins on Thursday, September 4, when the Warriors host the 16th Heritage Club Classic. Westmont will take on Saint Martin's (Wash.) at 12:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, the Warriors will face off against Simon Fraser (B.C.) at 1:15 p.m.