Back at the Top of the Cal Pac Conference

Back at the Top of the Cal Pac Conference
September 18, 2023
By Francisco Claudio
 
The Westcliff men's soccer team got back on track and regained their spot at the top of the Cal Pac over the weekend.
 
After facing their first loss the Warriors were eager to make a statement win as they traveled to Simpson University on Sunday.
 
Westcliff dominated the second half with four goals as they defeated the RedHawks 4-3.
 
Simpson scored the first goal in the 25th minute, which set the tone for the entire first half of the game.
 
But scoring hasn't been an issue for the Warriors this season so it was only a matter of time before their deadly strikers made a move.
 
With one minute into the second half starting the Warriors made their move with a pass from Jordan Di Lonardo to Jussi Gerberding for the goal.
 
Then less than a minute after scoring the Warriors were back at it with some more magic this time from No.10 Quentin Hornung.
 
Hornung scored his ninth goal of the season with the assists from John Adekunle and Lucas Rosell.
 
Hornung leads the Cal Pac in goals scored this season as he battles it out with an Embry-Riddle player.
 
Now up 2-1, Westcliff began to dictate play and dominate the way they have all season long.
 
Di Lonardo joined the scoring party in the 62nd minute with the assists from Adekunle.
 
Then just a couple of minutes later Goncalo Costa scored Westcliff's fourth goal after an assist from Di Lonardo.
 
The game got a little tricky towards the latter stages as Simpson scored their second and third goal after a couple of penalty kicks.
 
Nonetheless, the lead was secured as the Warriors got back to winning and are now tied for first place in the Cal Pac Conference standings.
 
"We played very well in the first half but we came out down a goal,'' head coach Randy Dodge said. "We talked at half-time about sticking to the game plan and believing in each other.  
 
"They responded fantastically. People will see the scoreline at 4-3 but it was never that close. We missed a lot of chances throughout the game but the most important thing is we created them. The boys responded the way I thought they would after Friday night's game."
 
Westcliff dominated offensively with 24 shots, 15 of whom were shots on goal.
 
Simpson had 10 shots and eight on goal.
 
Di Lonardo has demonstrated all season long his playmaking skills and the diversity of his game not just as a scorer.
 
Di Lonardo has a firm lead in assists with nine this season and it looks like nothing can stop him from grabbing at least one a game.
 
The next closest player is his own teammate Adekunle with five.
 
Up Next: The Warriors will host Pacific Union on Friday, September 22nd, at 2:00PM
 
"Now we need to get healthy and compete for the league title," Dodge said.