August 15, 2023
MSOC Preview: Warriors Hungry and Determined
By Francisco Claudio
It feels like it was only a couple of months ago that the Westcliff men's soccer team announced that Randy Dodge would take over as head coach.
Since then, the team has gone through their offseason and training camp in preparation for the 2023 fall season.
Their first scrimmage of the season is just around the corner as they will travel to Santa Clarita to face off against The Master's University.
The Warriors are determined to make this season count as every piece seems to be in the right place.
And with the return of an experienced group in 2023, they are hungry to make their first national tournament appearance.
"I am looking forward to the season and these guys fulfilling their goals as a group and team," Dodge said. "My expectation is to lay down a culture for the program that will continue for the years to come.
"For the immediate situation, it will be to get to the Cal Pac tourney and Nationals."
The Warriors will have the luxury of bringing back many of its players from last season, making team bonding and developing chemistry a smoother transition for everyone.
"We brought back a lot of underclassmen and some very good transfers," Dodge said. "Leading the charge of returners are Janis and Vinny who are our team captains and have been with the program for a few years.
"They both lead in different ways and the guys have responded very well in the spring and so far in this training camp."
As mentioned, the Warriors will have their first scrimmage of the season at The Masters on Tuesday, August 15th at 4 PM.
The first home game will be against Bethesda University on Tuesday, August 29th at 7 PM.
The first conference game will also take place at home as the Warriors host Embry-Riddle on Thursday, September 7th at 4 PM.
But before the conference schedule begins there is a game that is circled on the calendar for the Warriors against Division I, UC San Diego.
"We will really find out where we are as a group after that game," Dodge said. "But our biggest games of the season are the first three games in conference.
"We open with Embry-Riddle, Park, and UC Merced. These are the teams to beat to get to Nationals, but every game we play we just want to get better every half and every game."
Last season the Warriors finished with a conference record of 9-2-1 and an overall record of 11-6-2.
They were the third seed in the Cal Pac Conference and for the second year in a row made it to the semifinals of the Cal Pac Tournament.
But going into this year there has been notable additions as well as growth and experience in which the players can rely on.
"Every year is always a different journey with a different group of men," Dodge said. "The thing that you want to stay the same is in the culture that is created year in and year out.
"My goal is to create an environment for growth on and off the field and establish a program for the future. Winning is a by-product of the players buying into the coaching staff and each other in a positive way. It's a long process but I believe this group will achieve success this year."
The Warriors are hungry and determined to make this season count and break past the hurdles that were in the way the last few years.