September 11, 2023

Hornung Scores a Hat Trick, Warriors Atop the Cal Pac

Video Box Score
By Francisco Claudio
 
There's no doubt that the Westcliff men's soccer team has placed themselves as one of the top teams in the Cal Pac this season. 
 
The team is unbeaten and getting better with each game under their belt.
 
On Saturday the Warriors hosted Park-Gilbert and for the fourth time this season recorded a clean sheet winning, 5-0.
 
But even more impressive was that No.10 Quentin Hornung scored a hat trick as he helped the Warriors go up 3-0.
 
Westcliff made their move in the 8th minute of the first half after a couple of precision passes from Gledi Doda and Jordan Di Lonardo to Hornung.
 
Hornung hit it just out of reach of the Park-Gilbert goalkeeper to put the Warriors up, 1-0.
 
In the 16th minute, Hornung was back at it again after assists from Wissem Obeid and Di Lonardo to go up 2-0.
 
It seemed like every chance Hornung touched the ball deep in Park-Gilbert territory, it would lead to a shot on goal.
 
And then once again in the 34th minute, Hornung produced some more magic after a pass from John Adekunle for a hat trick all in the first half.
 
The Warriors went up 3-0 as the first half ended.
 
They took six shots while Park-Gilbert was only able to get two shots off.
 
As soon as the second half started Hornung was at it again but this time he was the one setting up Adekunle for the fourth Warrior goal.
 
In the 83rd minute of the competition, Lucas Rosell gave a perfect pass ahead to Mamdou Diaby who scored the fifth goal for the Warriors.
 
"I'm proud of the boys," said head coach Randy Dodge. "We're coming off a really emotional game on Thursday. 
 
"We played really well today. I think we only gave up one or two shots. But it wasn't just that, we were able to dictate the pace and style of play. It had a good flow and rhythm and got a lot of players playing time. I'm just really pleased that we were disciplined with fouls and cards and seeing the guys buy into the culture and environment we're trying to build."
 
This has become the best start to a season for the Warriors who are now in their fourth year of competition and are standing at 6-0 (2-0).
 
It's another clean sheet where their defense has been rock solid and made the Westcliff goalkeeper's life very easy.
 
"Our back line is doing a great job," Dodge said. "And at the end of the day when you take the pressure off the back line by scoring goals that's a big thing. 
 
"We've been super solid in the back and it's been like that all year. That's a cornerstone of what we want to do. As a whole, we need to defend and we've been doing that."

Up Next: The Warriors will get a couple of days of rest before they travel to UC Merced on Friday, September 15th, for a start time of 7:00PM.