Former San Marcos High soccer star Leonel Olivo Ortiz scored two goals, helping Westmont to win its first PacWest Conference game and first game as a NCAA Division 2 program on Saturday night in La Mirada.
Olivo Ortiz gave Westmont a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute and scored the Warriors’ third goal in the 56th minute.
“I think that we executed what we wanted to do in the game almost to perfection,” said coach Morgan Cathey. “To see the personalities of our players come out in the way it did tonight was incredible. Our guys did really well to apply themselves as a whole team today.”
Cathey was particularly impressed with the defensive effort of his team.
“Our opponent had some phenomenal chances in the game, but we stood tall,” expressed Cathey. “Brady Highfill was awesome in goal, Landon Amaral and Barrett Goodman were incredible. Matt Moore, Miguel Alvarado and Cash Anderholt were awesome. The whole defensive unit was really good.”
Alvarado and Goodman are Santa Barbara High alums.
Westmont (1-5-2, 1-0) went up 2-0 in the 34th minute on a corner kick. Connor Lynch headed it back and Amaral finished.
On the third goal, Daniel Tuscano slipped a through pass to Olivo Ortiz, who calmly finished around the goalkeeper.
The Warriors took advantage of a 10-man Biola squad and scored their fourth goal in the 84th minute. Braeden Pryor got behind the defense and beat the goalkeeper one on one.
“It feels good for our whole team,” said Cathey about the progress the team has made. “When you have a goal in mind, and you have a date in mind to be at the best version of yourself, and you go through the terrains of navigating highs and lows throughout the climb to get to that point, it is really challenging. That challenge, though, produces a lot of character.
“Now, when we are in the moment and the character has been refined, it is great to see our guys grab hold of the opportunity.“