Judging by his reaction, you would’ve guessed that Daniel Torres had scored the game-winner in a World Cup final.
Well, that certainly wasn’t the case, but it had been a long time since he found the back of the net.
The Santa Barbara High grad and father of two, whose career has resumed after getting opportunity to come back and play collegiately for Westmont this season, put away an inconsequential score from close range with just a couple of minutes left as the Warrior men’s soccer team posted a 3-0 win over Cal Baptist at La Playa Stadium.
“I really wanted a goal. I’ve been working hard all season and it just wasn’t happening,” said Torres, who was the 2004 Channel League MVP in his senior year as a Don. After scoring, he ran over towards the stands and onto the La Playa Stadium track, pulling the front of his shirt over his face and pointing to friends and family.
“The celebration was a little too big, actually, but I’m happy for him,” said coach Dave Wolf. “He’s played superbly, but when you’re a striker you need that first goal as validation.”
The Warriors got down to business early in the Golden State Athletic Conference opener, as Hugo Pizano scored off of a short corner by Anthony Niboli just 6:14 into the match. The second goal amazingly came just 42 seconds later when Daniel Guzman capitalized on a ball that bounced off Cal Baptist keeper Jeff Redinger. The Warriors narrowly out-shot Cal Baptist 15-13 in the match.
Lancers coach Ryan Jorden was back to face his old coach for the second year. Jorden played at Westmont under Wolf before graduating in 1995. He went on to serve as Wolf’s assistant from 2000-07.
“It’s always nice to get back up here and play in a good college atmosphere,” he said.
Wolf said that the Lancers have a very good team and that he was proud of Jorden for the job he’s done thus far.
“We did some great things in the box tonight. Otherwise it was a very even game,” he said.
Torres couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off of his face after the game.
“I don’t even have words to describe it. There’s no place better to be than Westmont for me,” he said.
Next up for the Warriors is a game at San Diego Christian.
