Westmont College Athletics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
By Ron Smith
October 6, 2026
 
(LOS ANGELES) After a halftime score of 1-1 against #21 UCLA (6-1-4), Westmont Men's Soccer (3-6-4) gave up four second-half goals to fall to the Bruins 5-1 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on Tuesday evening.
 
"I am very proud of our players for how they applied themselves and the bravery with which they played," stated Westmont's head coach Morgan Cathey. "The passion and energy they exuded throughout the game was great. Obviously, playing against one of the top teams in the country in college soccer, there are going to be moments in which their quality can hurt us. For the most part, throughout the game, we maintained and kept up with that quality. We also pushed them back and created really good chances for ourselves."
 
UCLA scored off of a set piece in the 14th minute. Albert Ruiz sent a free kick into the box from 35 yards out on the left side. The service found the head of Logan Hall, who was running toward the right post.
 
Cooper Matthews pulled the Warriors even in the 27th minute. Tiago Aranibar dribbled the ball down the left touchline, then passed the ball along the ground to Kristian Johnson inside the six-yard box. Johnson battled a Bruin defender, then saw Matthews open on the right side of the box. Johnson completed the pass and Matthews one-touched the shot with his right foot, sending the ball inside the right post.
 
In the 37th minute, Matthews took another shot from left of the six-yard box, nearly recording a brace before halftime.
 
Two minutes later, the Warriors sent a ball over the top that Cole Lomeli tried to track down. The UCLA keeper beat Lomeli to the ball, but couldn't remain inside the 18-yard box when he slid to secure the ball. That gave the Warriors a free kick on the right edge of the box. The shot taken by Aranibar went just past the far post, keeping the game tied at a goal apiece.
 
"I think we were unlucky to not be up in the first half," assessed Cathey. "We gave up a soft, set-piece goal in the first half. However, I think there were a lot of positives in the first half.
 
"In the second half, UCLA brought on a new 11. We didn't have as much of the affordability to bring on a new 11 with some of our guys out."
 
After the intermission, UCLA regained the lead in the 52nd minute. A Bruin corner kick was headed away by Logan Race, but the Warriors were unable to corral the ball, which bounced to UCLA's Jaime Amaro. Amaro fired from the top of the box into the back of the net.
 
Two minutes later, the Bruins took a 3-1 lead after defender Marcus Jackson sent a ball over the top, connecting with Phillip Naef on the right side. Naef was able to forward the ball to Oliver Roche as he dashed down the center of the pitch. One-on-one with Westmont keeper Aidan Strickler, Roche completed the scoring play.
 
Amaro scored again in the 65th minute after stealing a pass in the top of the 18-yard box. Then in the 88th minute, the Bruins tacked on another goal when Franco Bonsu scored off an assist from David Diez.
 
"It was a really good soccer game," posited Cathey. "Hats off to UCLA. They play so well and ask so many questions of you. It was an enjoyable environment for our guys to be in and to learn and get better.
 
"I thought Kristian Johnson did really well on the defensive side. Also, he filled in for Cash Aderholt at right back and found himself in good spots in the attacking third. He was instrumental in our first goal and was solid throughout the whole game. I thought Julius Oehmichen did well in the attack as well as Cole and Cooper. Obviously, Cooper's goal was outstanding. They provided a good spark, were secure in possession and also defended really well.
 
"I was proud of our team. They applied something for the first time that we have been working on in training related to how we were going to defend against UCLA. I thought we applied it very well in the game.
 
"A big credit to Leonel Olivo Ortiz for leading the line from a defensive standpoint. He was also really good in transition.
 
"It was a good evening overall. Even though the results didn't go our way, there were a lot of positives to take away."
 
The Warriors return to PacWest play beginning on Saturday with the first of three games in Hawaii. Westmont will play against Hawai'i Pacific (4-4-3, 2-2-1 PacWest) on Saturday. Then on Monday, October 12, the team will take on Chaminade (0-10, 0-4). On Thursday, October 15, Westmont will face off against Hawai'i Hilo (4-5-1, 1-2-1).