STRONG FINISH

By Brandon Petersen

Westcliff men's soccer saw its postseason run end on Saturday with a 3–0 loss to No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan, a program that played for the NAIA national championship just two years ago and once again showed why it is one of the elite sides in the country.

But the final score can't touch the story of Westcliff's season.

The Warriors came back from an early-season upset to Stanton, regrouped, and grew into one of the toughest teams in the Cal Pac, ultimately winning the conference tournament and returning to the second round of the NAIA Championships for the second time in three seasons.

Oklahoma Wesleyan struck just 98 seconds into the match, putting the Warriors immediately under pressure.

"Soccer can be a very cruel sport," Westcliff head coach Randy Dodge said. "To start a knock game and give up an own goal in the first two minutes was tough to swallow. But with that said, we played an even game with the No. 1 team in the country. We kept it there until the end when we needed to go forward to get a goal, and they got us on a free kick and a PK. We put ourselves in a place where we should be Top 25 in the country."

Westcliff responded well, settling defensively and generating chances of its own through Mohamed Sidi Haiba, Lucas Rosell and Sohaib Owais, but the equalizer never materialized.

The match stayed 1–0 for over 77 tense minutes before the Eagles finally broke it open with an opportunistic finish in the 79th minute and added another three minutes later.

Olly Scott kept Westcliff within reach throughout, making five saves and absorbing wave after wave of pressure.

Despite Saturday's result, Westcliff closes the year at 12-5-2 overall, 6-1-1 in the Cal Pac, unbeaten in five neutral-site matches, and once again among the final 32 teams standing in the nation.

A roster heavy with impact newcomers blended quickly with veteran returners, producing a disciplined, resilient side that peaked when it mattered most.

"This year had been really up and down, but because of our players that have played for me the last three years, we made the second round of nationals. This group of leaders mean the world to me. To be able to coach a player like Jordan (Di Lonardo) the last three years has been incredible, and to have guys like Lucas (Rosell) and Finn (Pock) has been a joy.

"We had a lot of younger guys who have learned what our culture is all about. So proud of this group. I have coached in the NAIA for 23 years and to make nationals for 18 times -- not many coaches can say that. But I could never do it without my boys, who I have coached all these years. Thanks to Tom, Jay, Lucas, Matteus and Neil, appreciate what you did for me and the boys this year."

There's nothing to criticize in a season like this.

The Warriors made it back to the national stage, earned their way into the second round again, and set a foundation for what comes next under Randy Dodge.

Another step forward. Another postseason run. Another year proving Westcliff belongs.