Warriors' Season Opener Spoiled by the Spartans

Over the weekend, the Westcliff men's soccer team kicked off their season against the Missouri Baptist Spartans at the Orange Coast College soccer stadium.

The Warriors were at a disadvantage for the majority of the second half as they played with a man down in the eventual 4-1 loss to the visiting Spartans.

Westcliff surprised the visiting team with an early goal three minutes into the contest as Demitri Rodriguez Robles set up Jose Urdiano Morales with a long pass to the left side. Urdiano Morales received the ball with the utmost precision and put it in the back of the net, giving the Warriors the advantage, 1-0.

The Spartans replied back with a goal of their own in the 36th minute to level the game as both teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime, 1-1.

As the second half was underway, the Warriors found themselves in a tough situation just nine minutes in with one of their defenders receiving a red card for obstructing what could have been a goal-scoring opportunity for the Spartans.

Down one man, Westcliff had their work cut out as they would have to expend more energy trying to cover the open spaces.

Missouri Baptist went on the offensive and would go on to score in the 68th, 77th, and 80th minute, spoiling the Warriors home opener.

"This was our first game to play against an opponent so we got to see a lot of positive and negative things in some players that we brought in," shared head coach Randy Dodge after the game. "But we're going to have four guys become eligible by next Friday against the Master's and it changes our system and style.

"I'm pleased overall with the effort and the discipline that we showed throughout the whole game. I thought the guys showed resolve and competed and that's what we wanted. We'll get better from here."

The Warriors took 10 shots, with four on goal. The opponent's goalkeeper saved three, but one resulted in a goal for the home team.

It wasn't the result that the defending Cal Pac champions were looking for but there is a lot that can be dissected from this first nonconference game as they will have next week to work on those lapses.

The Warriors will play again on Friday, August 30th, against The Master's at the Orange County Great Park Field 18, with a start time of 5:00 p.m.