Westmont couldn’t hold onto a one-goal lead and dropped its first match of the season against No.9-ranked California Baptist 2-1 Saturday in the Golden State Athletic Conference men’s soccer opener in Riverside.
The Warriors fell to 5-1-2 (0-1 GSAC) while the Lancers improved to 7-1 (1-0 GSAC).
“We were actually really sharp out of the gate and played very well,” said Westmont head coach Dave Wolf, “which was surprising since it was so blazing hot. Unfortunately, we conceded quickly, which has been our Achilles heal.”
Westmont’s goal came in eighth minute of play when Harrison Hill slid the ball past the keeper to Nana Akyen who sent it home for his second goal of the year.
Just 2 1/2 minutes later, the Lancers evened the score on a goal by Marc Hope, assisted by Tiburcio Casillas. Cal Baptist scored the game-winner in the 58th minutes when Osvaldo Bastida scored on a header off a pass from Tim Wardell.
“We had some good quality moments during the game,” Wolf said. “The difference is that the team we were playing today was a lot better. Quality moments do not equate to a quality performance. That is something we have yet to really achieve. That is frustrating to me. We are eight games into the season and are still looking for that.”
Something that did catch the coach’s eye was the play of senior Anthony Niboli, whose return to the team late in the summer has left him working hard to get back into playing form.
“Anthony was pretty sharp today,” said Wolf. “He looks as close to himself as I have seen him. We must have him playing well for us to be good. He had some sharp, bright moments for us. We got a ball played across the box and he hit it good and he hit it low, but the keeper made a fantastic save. He got down to it and kept it out with about a minute on the clock.”
The Warriors return to GSAC action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when they host San Diego Christian as part of a men’s and women’s homecoming doubleheader. The men will kick off at 1 o’clock with the women following at 3:30 p.m.
