Warriors Surge into Playoffs with Road Wins
The Westcliff men’s soccer team finished out the regular season in dominant fashion over the weekend, picking up road wins at Park-Gilbert (5-2) and Benedictine Mesa (6-1).
by BRANDON PETERSEN
The Westcliff men's soccer team finished out the regular season in dominant fashion over the weekend, picking up road wins at Park-Gilbert (5-2) and Benedictine Mesa (6-1).
The Park win was of comeback variety and featured yet another Quentin Hornung hat trick.
Hornung is the Cal Pac leader in goals scored (19), shots (79) and points (45).
"Jason (McCormick) and Geert (Bijl) took control of the midfield in the second half and Q's ability to score and create in the final third made the difference," Westcliff head coach Tom Lancaster said. "Park was on a very good run and caused us a lot of trouble early on. I was proud of the guys. Quality came through in the end."
Felix Kogler and Karam Idris had assists in the contest.
Kay Maletzki and Cesar Ortega scored the other two goals.
Ortega had a hat trick in the Benedictine match with assists from Idris (2) and Maletzki.
Ortega assisted on a Hornung goal as well.
Maletzki had a goal scored on a help from Max Juha Simonis and Kogler sent in a winner on a John Adekunle help.
"It was a very enjoyable performance," Lancaster said. "The guys moved the ball well and controlled the game.
"Ortega had a fantastic game, scoring three and getting an assist. He looked dangerous every time he touched the ball."
The Warriors secured the No. 3 seed in the Cal Pac playoffs with the win.
Westcliff faces La Sierra in the first round of the championship tournament Wednesday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at UC Merced.
To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.