Warriors Finish Strong, Cal Pac Tourney Next

By Brandon Petersen

Coming into the 2022, the question surrounding Westcliff men's soccer would be how the young group, after losing so much senior talent from last year's team, would respond. 

A year ago, Westcliff earned the No. 3 seed in the Cal Pac tournament, its first postseason bid in program history. 

After the Warriors bowed out of the tournament, captain Karam Idris urged the underclassman to continue the winning tradition his class had placed as a foundation. 

One year later, after dismantling Providence Christian, 10-1, on the final eve of the regular season, the Warriors can do no worse than the No. 3 seed in the Cal Pac tournament, and if a miracle happens Saturday and Maritime pops UC Merced, they will be No. 2.

Either way, the Warriors find themselves facing the same opportunity they did a year ago. 

"The goal is to get to nationals so we can continue our journey," Westcliff head coach Tom Lancaster said. "The team knows exactly what is required to make it happen."

Although last season's semifinal loss was a tough pill to swallow, it also served as a valuable learning opportunity for the Warriors, who had yet to experience the intensity of Cal Pac postseason play. 

This year, the Warriors head into the tournament knowing exactly what they will face. 

Most likely, Westcliff will host Benedictine Mesa in the opening round at the Great Park. 

If the Warriors advance beyond that, the tournament moves to La Sierra on Nov. 10. 

Thursday night at the Great Park was a spectacular finish to the regular season. 

Not only did senior Isaac Lopez-Armijo score his first goal as a Warrior, but Alessandro Lagona put on a show as well, finishing with a well-earned hattie that included a goal scored on a perfectly timed and executed windmill kick set up by Emir Basar. 

Jonas Jansen (twice), Lopez-Armijo and Jordan Di Lonardo (two assists) picked up helps on Lagona's other two scores. 

The stat sheet afterward read like a short novel.

Besides Lagona and Lopez-Armijo, Felix Kogler, Di Lonardo (twice), Basar, Lucas Rosell and Rui Tsubakihara scored as well. 

Finn Pock picked up a pair of assists, Lucas Lyra had one, Kogler had one, Lagona picked up a help, as did Fridolin Gefrorer and Lukas Lougon. 

"Senior Night was magical for the soccer program and our athletics department," Lancaster said. "We played some entertaining soccer and scored a number of goals that can be appreciated at all levels of the game.

"It was a special moment when Isaac scored."

Westcliff outshot Providence 44-4, and took 15 corners to the Seabeggars' one. 

The Warriors' goal total of 10 tied a program record for goals scored in a match. 

Neal Draves, another celebrated Westcliff senior, got the start in goal and was fantastic, especially on his clear-outs. 

Providence Christian finished with 14 saves.

"I want to thank everyone who came out to support the team, and a huge thank you to the SID team, Game Ops, and the ADs, who always do an amazing job," Lancaster said. "It makes it a pleasure to play games under the lights at the Great Park — the atmosphere is always electric!"

La Sierra and Benedictine will be the five and six seeds, dependent on their final contests. 

While La Sierra faces Antelope Valley, Benedictine drew the short straw with Embry-Riddle. 

Simpson is locked in as the No. 4 seed. 

Saturday, Nov. 5, Westcliff will host its first home Cal Pac playoff contest at the Great Park. 

Kickoff times have yet to be announced, but stay tuned to Westcliff Social Media and the Westcliff App to make sure you don't miss this exciting moment in Warriors' history.