Warriors Back on Track with Blowout Win
After back-to-back deadlocks in contests the Warriors felt they should have won, the Westcliff University men’s soccer team opened the flood gates Saturday afternoon on the Championship Stadium pitch at OC Great Park and washed away Providence Christian, 6-1.
by Brandon Petersen
After back-to-back deadlocks in contests the Warriors felt they should have won, the Westcliff University men's soccer team opened the flood gates Saturday afternoon on the Championship Stadium pitch at OC Great Park and washed away Providence Christian, 6-1.
The win was Westcliff's second-consecutive over the Sea Beggars, and kept alive the Warriors' season-long goal of remaining undefeated at home.
"The most important piece is we got to get a lot of guys onto the field today," Westcliff head coach Joey O'Keefe said. "We've been playing a lot of tough, tight games, so we've been sticking with the guys who have had a lot of minutes most of the year.
"It's refreshing to have an opportunity where your main guys step up and create an opportunity for everyone to get some playing time."
Taishi Adachi got the party started early for the Warriors, scoring on back-to-back goals in the seventh and 19 minutes off of assists from Thales Castro, and Silva Mosue and Nick Frost, respectively.
Miguel Arriaga added on in the 32nd minute with a penalty-kick winner, and Paya Diaz made it 4-0 with a blistering shot that crossed right to left in the 34th.
Just two minutes later, Arriaga found AJ Yazid on a run-out for a grounded winner.
The Sea Beggars responded just before half when Natye Whitt made it 5-1 on a help from Eric Cabrera.
"Credit to (Providence Christian)," O'Keefe said. "They are battling a lot of injuries right now, and for them to come out here when they're battling through that and get a couple on the board, that's good for them."
Nick Frost scored on an assist from Adachi in the 55th minute, and soon thereafter, O'Keefe pulled all 11 starters for a fresh group.
Despite the full-sail changes, the Warriors remained dominant, maintaining the second-half clean sheet and peppering the Sea Beggars' box with shots.
"The play didn't drop very much at all," O'Keefe said. "To see 11 brand new guys finish the game on a good mark, not get scored on, that's the best to see."
With the win, Westcliff moved to 6-3-2 on the year, and will now head out on the road for a meeting with Pacific Union College in Angwin, Thursday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.