By Ron Smith
September 13, 2025
 
(POMONA, Calif.) Westmont Men's Soccer (2-1-1) suffered its first loss of the season, falling to the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona (2-1-1) by a score of 6-2.
 
"It is disappointing for sure," said Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "I don't think the score line reflects our performance. At the same time, today was really about what happened in the boxes and they were excellent in the boxes and we were not. It's a good lesson to learn."
 
Westmont took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute on a goal by Cole Lomeli. From the right edge of the 18-yard box, Cash Anderholdt passed to Lomeli. At 20-yards out, Lomeli took a touch, then fired with his right foot, sending the ball into the left crease.
 
The Warrior lead held until the 26th minute when Daniel Hernandez scored for the Broncos on a penalty kick to tie the game at one goal apiece.
 
In the 40th minute, the Broncos took the lead on a goal by Joseph Spencer, giving Cal Poly a 2-1 advantage at halftime.
 
"I thought the first half we played very well," assessed Cathey. "I think we were unlucky to find ourselves down at halftime. It could have easily been two-nil. We missed a header at the back post and I thought their first goal was a soft penalty. Then, we gave up a set piece goal which was a soft goal on our part.
 
"In the first half, I thought we were in control. I thought we fought really well. I thought we created good moments. I thought we were in good spaces.
 
"In the second half, our defensive organization was nowhere near what it was in the first half. They were much more clinical in their opportunities. We had the ball and progressed the ball better, but we also lost it in critical spaces that allowed them to transition. We weren't good enough defensively in transition moments to limit them."
 
Cal Poly took a 3-1 lead in the 51st minute on a goal by Aleksandar Somonv before adding another score in the 54th minute on a goal by Marvin Gamez.
 
Somonv scored again in the 61st minute to put the Broncos on top 5-1.
 
In the 63rd minute, Westmont added a goal on a set piece. Serkan Durna sent a corner kick to the far post where Alex Reyes headed the ball into the net.
 
"It was an excellent service and an excellent goal," observed Cathey.
 
In the final minute of the game, Somonv completed a hat trick with his third goal of the game, resulting in the final score of 6-2.
 
Despite the final tally, Cathey felt strongly about the play of his backs. "I thought Marco Valdez and Logan Race had outstanding games. I think, collectively, they made two or three mistakes in possession the whole game. Out of possession, I thought they were outstanding. I thought we let them down for large moments.
 
"I also thought Leo Olivo Ortiz was unbelievable tonight. He was a game changer for us. His second half performance was top. It was disappointing because there were actually really good positives in the game for us.
 
Next up, Westmont will host CSU San Marcos (0-2-1) at Thorrington Field on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for noon.
 
"We have a week to recover and find the lessons to be applied," noted Cathey.