SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Highlighting an explosive first-half offensive display and a decisive second-half dagger from Cole Lomeli, the Westmont men’s soccer team earned a spot in the PacWest Tournament Championship match with a 4–2 victory over Vanguard on Thursday afternoon at Kennelly Field.

The Warriors (9-7-5) established control early, pressuring the Lions’ backline and finding the back of the net three times in the opening 30 minutes.

Defender Logan Race opened the scoring in the 11th minute, rising above the defense to head home a corner kick delivery from Tiago Aranibar.

Westmont doubled its advantage in the 25th minute. Leonel Olivo Ortiz flicked a header forward into the path of Luis Cortes, who beat the keeper one-on-one to make it 2–0.

Five minutes later, the Warriors struck again. Aranibar chipped a ball toward the far post, where Donovan Espino played it across for Julius Oehmichen to slot home from close range for a 3–0 lead. Vanguard (7-8-2) pulled a goal back in the 41st minute following an own goal, sending the teams into halftime at 3–1.

“I think we knew going into it that it was going to be a big challenge based on how Vanguard plays,” said Westmont Head Coach Morgan Cathey.

“We really felt like we needed to bring a lot more verticality to the game and a lot more decisiveness in duels and exploit them where we felt like we could exploit them. It wasn’t beautiful football today, but I think our commitment to play the way we wanted to play was incredibly beautiful.”

In the second half, Vanguard attempted to press forward, but Lomeli put the match out of reach in the 57th minute. Working a slick give-and-go with Cortes at the edge of the 18-yard box, Lomeli hit a clean strike past the keeper to rebuild a three-goal margin at 4–1.

“In that moment, I think it was just a culmination of hard work and all of us defending with our lives,” Lomeli said of his scoring play. “Morgan told me at halftime that I just need to let the ball go, so in that moment, I just struck it well and knew off my foot that it was going to be hard for the keeper to save.”

Vanguard added a late goal in the 75th minute, but goalkeeper Aidan Strickler (four saves) and the Warrior defense held firm through a physical final stretch that included a Vanguard ejection in the 88th minute.

Reflecting on the victory over a conference rival, defender Cash Anderholt noted the team’s postseason mindset: “Historically, Westmont is known to be a moments team. We get to these big games and we know how to handle it. With our experience, we can help motivate the team to capture these big moments, soak it in, and give every last drop in the tank.”

“The bond that we have on this team—you’re not going to find it anywhere else,” Lomeli added, acknowledging the support from teammates on the sideline. “Guys sacrificing free time back at school just to be here with their brothers and experience that has ultimately been the difference in a lot of big moments for us this year.”

With the semifinal win, Westmont advances to the PacWest Championship match to face Hawaii Pacific on Saturday, November 7th at 12:00 p.m.

“We’re very excited about facing HPU,” Cathey added. “It’s the two most deserving teams in the final, and I’m glad that futbol rewarded that.”