Warriors Eclipse Gauchos in Cross-Town Soccer Match
Westmont men’s soccer stunned cross-town rival UC Santa Barbara 2-1 Aug. 19 in the annual Bryant & Sons Cup game at Harder Stadium. It’s the first time since 2000 that the Warriors have defeated the Gauchos, who were named as the North Division favorite in the Big West Conference for the fifth straight year in the preseason coaches poll.
Westmont, who was Golden State Athletic Conference Co-Champions last year, received votes, but was not ranked in the Top 25 in the NAIA preseason poll.
“My first thought was we’re like a solar eclipse,” said Westmont head coach Dave Wolf. “I think it’s an interesting game in the sense that it means everything and nothing at the same time. This is, for our guys, their moment. This is the local derby. Half our guys wanted to play here (for UCSB). For them this is a big deal.”
The Warriors first goal was in the 23rd minute by Blake Homan off a corner kick by Augie Andrade. The pesky Warriors scored again in the 83rd minute after Andrade intercepted a pass at midfield, dished the ball to Gabriel McEwen, who dribbled into the box then dumped the ball back to Andrade, who put the ball in the back left corner of the goal. The Gauchos lone goal came with four seconds remaining in the contest.
The Warriors host their regular season opener Saturday, Aug. 16, at noon against Cal State San Bernardino.