September 4, 2023

History Made: MSOC Downs DI UCSD

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By Francisco Claudio
 
The Westcliff men's soccer team has started their season strong and has not lost a game so far in five games.
 
On Sunday the Warriors traveled down south to take on one of the best teams they've faced so far, DI UCSD.
 
The Warriors proved again that they're ready for this season's challenges as they got the victory over UCSD, 2-1.
 
It was a historic moment for the program because it marked the first time the men's team had beaten a DI school.
 
It was also a significant moment for Head Coach Randy Dodge who also picked up his first win as a coach over a DI school.
 
"I am really happy for the guys and the things I saw out of them but the game is the game," Dodge said. "A win is a win. All that really matters is our conference opener this Thursday."
 
Westcliff came into this game with great momentum scoring 22 goals and only allowing one.
 
The Warriors struck first when Quentin Hornung scored in the ninth minute with an assist from Jordan Di Lonardo.
 
But they weren't finished because Vincenzo Centrella was in the mood to score a goal too after another assist from Di Lonardo.
 
This was the second game in a row that Centrella scored in.
 
This was the second game in a row that Di Lonardo earned multiple assists as he has shined so far this season.
 
The Warriors finished the first half up 2-0 but it was a very competitive game up to this point.
 
The score stayed the same for much of the second half until UCSD was able to get on the board in the 82nd minute.
 
Westcliff did a good job at not allowing any more and earned a win that will surely boost the confidence of the team even more.
 
The Warriors have been displaying some of their best stuff out on the field and a win against a DI school reassures them that they are heading in the right direction.
 
"We have been putting in a system this last month and finally saw it come to fruition tonight," Dodge said. "The guys really bought into the standard that we want to be playing. We competed and were very disciplined in our shape. We had a build-up goal and created a free kick off a great counter-attack but our backline and midline played solid.
 
"These guys are bought into what we are doing but at the end of the day, it will be how these guys deal with the outside noise. Can everyone on the team accept their role on any given day. If the guys can continue to stay focused they will continue to find success."
 
With the win, the Warriors improve to 4-0 as they get ready to start the conference schedule this week.
 
Up next, Westcliff will host Embry-Riddle on Thursday, September 7th, at 4:00PM.
 
The game will be in the stadium of the OC Great Park.