Westmont Soccer Heritage Club

Connecting current & former players, parents, students and friends of Westmont soccer.

"We're Almost There"- Warriors lose 2-1 vs. The Master's

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The Warriors lost another close match 2-1 against Master's College(# 1 in GSAC) on Lovik Field on Wednesday. The team conceded a goal midway through the first half off a scramble in the box. This inspired the squad to respond with improved passing and several threatening opportunities on goal. Late in the second half, Master's capitalized on a counter-attack to stretch the lead to 2. With 4 minutes left to play, Daniel Guzman ( Sophomore, Midfielder) headed in a cross from Henry Sarmiento (Sophomore, Midfielder) but the Warriors were unable to even the score.
The prevailing sentiment was that the team was moving closer to its potential and the way it wanted to play every game.Tomorrow's challenging match-up @ Vanguard @ 5:00 pm will hopefully provide an opportunity to garner some confidence and cohesion as we prepare for a difficult playoff road ahead.

Men's Soccer article: http://blogs.westmont.edu/athletics/2009/10/28/the-masters-44/

Daniel Guzman info (PICTURE ABOVE): http://webapps.westmont.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/sportsData.woa/2/wo/1UifY9nmRRGHZ4CidXzW50/0.1.2.1.18.2.2.0.0

Barna lifts Westmont over Hope International (2-1 Final)

Despite a dodgy surface and early first half deficit, the Warriors earned a 2-1 victory over Hope International on Saturday afternoon. After conceding a goal in the first 20 minutes off a deflection, Dillon Barna (Sr, Defender) scored the equalizer from half field on a mishandled ball by the keeper. Midway through the second half, Barna drew a penalty in the box and calmly put home the game winner. The Warriors' next game is against top-ranked Master's College at 3 pm on Lovik Field. Hope to see some of you there!

Here is a video with some pre-game thoughts and highlights. Enjoy!

Westmont loses 2-1 in OT to Azusa Pacific/ Post-Game Interview with Anthony Strunz (Junior Midfielder, El Cajon, CA)

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The Warriors lost another hard-fought match against Azusa Pacific yesterday afternoon. After conceding a counter-attack goal midway through the second half, the team equalized off a an own goal forced by a throw-in by Zach George (Sophomore, Defender) in the final minute of normal time. However, just minutes into the first OT period, the Cougars capitalized on a scramble play in the box to put home the game-winner.

For a full game recap see the Westmont Men's Soccer homepage: http://blogs.westmont.edu/athletics/2009/10/20/azusa-pacific-57/

Post-Game Interview with Anthony Strunz:

1. We lost a tough one today, 2-1 in OT. Despite this, what positives can we take from this game? What do we need to improve on?

“Well, I’m proud of the way we fought back. We played really hard especially when the subs came on in the second half and gave us that extra push. It would have been great to get the tie though so it was disappointing when we conceded a goal in overtime. In terms of improvement, we just need to be more confident in our play. If we believe in our abilities more as a team, we have the potential to play with anyone in the GSAC. We need to approach every game with the full confidence that we can be successful.”

2. We were scoreless at halftime today, a much stronger start than against Point Loma. What accounted for this?

 “Today’s game was a little different than Point Loma. It was more of a passing game as each team tried to play smart while avoiding costly mistakes. Especially in the first half, it seemed like both teams were feeling each other out a bit. However, I think we defended much better in the first half of this game than last Saturday.”

3. Our team forced an own goal in the last minute of normal time to even the score. Describe the play for me.

“Well, Zach George took a throw-in near their box. It was a great throw. He really launched it. Me and several other guys just tried to challenge in the box and disrupt anything Azusa could clear cleanly. Dillon and I got some pressure on the center back and he knocked it into the back of the net with about 45 seconds left in the second half. The goal really gave us new life.”

4. We have a tough week ahead of us with two road games and a difficult home match-up against Master’s. What must we do in the next few days to prepare for the final push of the season?

“Tomorrow we have a rest day, which should be good for our legs after a tough week. In the next practice, we have to play like it’s our last. It’s really crunch time now and if we are going to replicate what we did last year, we need to keep our heads up and stay positive.”

5. As an experienced third-year player, what do you want to express to the team as we finish the regular season?

“I would tell them that we’ve been here before. We have had a tough mid-season stretch here in the GSAC but we just need to keep encouraging each other. We were in this position last year so we know what it takes to elevate our game to the next level. Essentially, we need to play like Warriors; hard and for one another at all times.”

3 Goal Second Half Lifts Warriors over Point Loma

After a poor first half in which the Warriors conceded a late goal, the team responded in the second half with a wave of sharper offense and passing. Dillon Barna (Sr, Defender) headed in a throw-in from Zach George (Soph, Defender) to start the scoring. In the 68th minute, Doug Harrell (Soph, Forward) collected a loose ball at the top of the box and volleyed it into the back of the net to give the Warriors a 2-1 lead. Finally, with 1 second remaining, Hugo Pizano (Sr, Midfielder) laced a shot from 45 yards out to beat the keeper, providing an exclamation point to a much needed win for the squad. Thank you to all the alumni who attended the game and we look forward to seeing some of you there on Tuesday @ Asuza Pacific University (3:00 pm kickoff). 

Goal Scorers (in order of scoring):

 

(download)

Warriors Lose 5-4 in Double Overtime vs. Fresno Pacific

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Here's the Game Recap by Ron Smith, Sports Information Director:


Despite scoring four goals, Westmont Men’s Soccer fell by a score of 5-4 in double overtime to the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific on Wednesday in Fresno. Up 2-0 at halftime, Westmont Men’s Soccer saw its lead vanish with three unanswered goals in the first seven minutes of the second half.

The Warriors rallied on goals by Josh Webb and Isaac Thompkins to gain a 4-3 advantage with. But moments after Thompkins’ goal, the Sunbird’s Paul Islas scored his second goal and forced the game into overtime. Victor Machado finished off the Warriors by scoring on a penalty kick in the one hundred-second minute.

Westmont’s record fell to 2-3 in Golden State Athletic Conference play and 4-5 overall. Fresno Pacific improved to 6-4-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the GSAC.

Hugo Pizano put the Warriors up 1-0 in the eighteenth minute by scoring on a penalty kick. Less than four minutes later, Andrew Schneider was the recipient of a ball cleared by the Sunbirds keeper. Schneider padded the Warrior advantage with a shot into an open goal.

But things began to unravel for the Warriors with the start of the second half. Three minutes into the final frame of regulation, Islas received a through ball from Machado and scored with a shot to the far post. Less than two minutes later, Mihailo Jovanovic tied the game, assisted by Rodrigo Vianna. Within another two minutes, the Sunbirds captured a 3-2 lead when Machado dribbled at Westmont keeper Matt McNab and slotted the ball to the right post.

In the sixty-fifth minute, Webb evened the game at three when he sent a deflection off the keeper into the right side of the net. Thompkin’s goal came in the seventy-second minute when he headed in a cross from Schneider that gave the Warriors a 4-3 lead.

Islas scored one minute and thirty-one seconds later on an unassisted goal to tie the score at four-all. After scoreless soccer in the first overtime period, Machado ended the game by converting a penalty kick.

Fresno Pacific recorded 27 shots compared to 17 by Westmont. The Warriors held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The Warriors will return to action on Saturday as part of a Homecoming doubleheader against Point Loma Nazarene at Lovik Field. The men’s team will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. followed by the women’s team at 3:30.


Warriors Fall 1-0 to Concordia Eagles

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For the second time this week, Westmont Men’s Soccer has been shutout by the Eagles – this time of the Concordia variety and by a score of 1-0. Jon Carlson scored the only goal of the game in the nineteenth minute, firing from 10 yards in front of the goal after a scramble for the ball.

The Warriors were out shot 17-11 in the contest including 8-3 in the second half of play. Hugo Pizano had six of the Warriors shots and put four of his attempts on frame. But Concordia goalkeeper Mike Radchuk tallied seven saves to keep the Warriors scoreless.

With the loss, Westmont falls to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Golden State Athletic Conference while #13 Concordia improves to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in GSAC play.

In other GSAC action, Biola (9-1, 4-0 GSAC) upset #2 Azusa Pacific (11-1, 4-1 GSAC) by a score of 1-0 in La Mirada. #22 The Master’s improved its record to 10-1-1 overall and 5-0 in conference with a 1-0 win over San Diego Christian (3-8, 0-5 GSAC).


Article by Ron Smith-Sports Information Director


Pre-game "WESTMONT vs SDCC Soccer "

Mr. Barna has graciously added another video to youtube with some fun thoughts from the players prior to the SDCC match. Thank you Mr.Barna and hopefully we'll see some of you at Tuesday's game! (vs. Biola @ 3:00 pm on Lovik Field)


963realcountry sent you a video: "WESTMONT vs SDCC Soccer "
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Warriors win 6-0 @ San Diego Christian/ Post-Game Interview with Hugo Pizano (Senior Midfielder, Santa Barbara, CA)

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The Warriors picked up their second win in GSAC competition with a 6-0 victory over San Diego Christian on Saturday afternoon. Jump-started by an early free kick goal by Hugo Pizano and a header by Daniel Torres, the team took control of the game. Hugo Pizano earned his second goal of the match by the 15 minute mark of the first half. I sat down with him afterward to hear his thoughts on the game...

For full coverage of the game, see the Westmont Soccer site: http://blogs.westmont.edu/athletics/2009/10/03/san-diego-christian-37/

We won today 6-0 against San Diego Christian. Aside from the score, how do you think our team performed today?

“Well, before the game, Dillon told us that we needed to focus on getting the victory today and nothing else. He also pointed to the opposing team and noted that they were not ready to play judging by their warm-up. We answered that call by getting 3 in the first 20 minutes and proving that we were much better in the 18.”

A focus our team has had these past few games is starting well. Today, your 2 goals helped us do just that. Talk us through the plays...

“The first goal was directly a result of Daniel Torres (Jr, Forward). It was a dead ball situation and he noticed that the keeper was playing too close to the near post and was not properly positioned. I saw the opening and was lucky enough to drift a ball to the back post and put us up 1-0. The second goal came on the opposite side of the field. Once again, Daniel Torres helped me out by playing me a neat ball and giving me room to manuever. I saw that the defenders were not pressuring me so was able to shoot far post to beat the keeper.”

You expressed a little frustration at the end of last season for not putting up the points you were capable of posting. How does it feel to have gotten off to such a great start (3 goals in last 2 games)?

“I honestly feel that the monkey is off my back. Last year, I wasn’t as frustrated about not getting goals but rather not setting my teammates up enough to score. More often, I would rather have an assist than a goal because I enjoy being a producer and distributor. But, of course, I’m happy about how things have gone thus far for me.”

 We have a tough week ahead of us with a game on Tuesday against Biola and a match on Saturday versus Concordia. How has this game prepared us for these upcoming games?

“We were lucky enough to get up early today. Therefore, we were able to sharpen the things we have been practicing on Lovik. Our team focused on having good shape and passing the ball well. As a result of playing simply, we were able to move forward as a unit. This practice will help us as we face tougher competition because the teams ahead can pressure harder and disrupt more of our passing rhythm.”

We had some players get into the game today that haven’t seen much time on the field thus far. These players, especially Andrew Wentland (Fr, Defender) and Kiko David (Fr, Defender) played very well for us. How can these guys help us this season?

“First and foremost, I was really hoping that these guys would get into the game and be able to prove themselves. They have been working so hard in practice. What I like best about the situation is that these players have put the team above themselves. They do not complain about playing time or criticize their teammates. Instead, they keep working hard and always support the team. This will help us in the long run as we need their minutes off the bench and the sense of unity they create among the squad.”

Last Question. Coach Wolf gave us new home uniforms to sport this season. Do you give them a thumbs up or thumbs down?

“Thumbs up for sure but I must say that I wish there were medium shorts. Us shorter players can’t wear larges all the time. We’re all not as tall as Dillon :-)”

Closing Thoughts from Hugo:

“Overall, I just want to say how much I have enjoyed being on the team this season. To see guys stepping up into new roles, like Matt McNab (Fr, GK) playing great for us even in the midst of illness, has been great to be a part of. Of course, playing in front of Dillon has been awesome. I know that Dillon will give any opposing forward a hard time and that he will always be a force in the back. Tony Niboli has been great too with his willingness to hustle and defend which then allows me to take offensive opportunities. In the end, I just want to say how it has been a privilege to be on the team thus far and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”