By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff men's soccer team knocked out Saint Katherine Thursday night at Great Park Championship Stadium thanks to a furious second half, 4-1. 

The Warriors played well early, controlling possession throughout a first half in which possession was ultimately rendered meaningless, because the Firebirds broke free and found net (Erwan Friche, 36:32) for a surprising 1-0 lead. 

Saint Katherine brought a large and loud contingent to the Great Park on Blue & Gold Night, and the Firebird faithful were frenzied in the first half after the women's game ended with a USK victory. 

Having heard all they jawing they could stomach from the crimson side of the crowd, the Warriors headed to the locker room at halftime heated. They had outplayed USK, but were down on the board, and the Firebirds were partying in their stadium. 

Head coach Tom Lancaster emerged from the locker room very early, putting the onus on his players to find the fortitude they needed to unleash fury on their rivals in the second half. 

"In the first half, we had 14 shots to their two, we gave away a soft goal," Lancaster said. "But when that happens, rather than shrink, we get after it even more."

That they did. 

Gathered around captain Justin Devlin in the belly of Championship Stadium, the Warriors came together and decided it was time to play for each other. 

It took 10 minutes for Silva Mosue to tie it up on assists from Emir Basar and Felix Kogler.

Basar and Kogler then teamed up again six minutes later when Kogler redirected Basar's cross into net. 

Marius Brondbo, who his teammates call, "The Ferrari," iced it in the 68th minute when he drilled an unassisted one-timer past keeper Oscar Martin (two saves). 

"The boys did really well today," Lancaster said. "Attacked with a lot of energy."

Mosue captured his second goal — the cherry on top — in the 83rd, which finally sent the Firebird faithful flaming out toward the exits.

"It was a great reaction (after halftime)," Lancaster said. "There's been a huge shift in mentality, I think, after the Merced game. I mentioned we'd be OK if we brought energy, and we've done that every single time. 

"If we continue to do that, we'll continue to do well."

Noah Schwengeler had a rather uneventful evening, collecting a lone save. 

Westcliff finished with 26 shots to USK's three.

The Warriors placed 11 corner set-pieces.

The Firebirds kicked none. 

With the win, Westcliff moves to 2-1 in Cal Pac play. 

Saturday, the Warriors travel to Antelope Valley for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.