Westmont men’s soccer (5-3), ranked #13 in the nation, played host to Arizona’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (6-6-1) this afternoon at Russ Carr field and won 2-1 in the Warriors’ final game before the conference schedule begins next week.

“It was a hard game to play in because it was quite physical,” said senior midfielder Michael Thompson. “There were a lot of things fans and refs aren’t seeing off the ball - a lot of talking, a lot of kicking in the heels, and a lot of scrapping. It’s hard to keep playing under those conditions. We got a little caught up in it, but in the end we pulled through and when it mattered we played the ball quick enough to keep it away from them.”

[stats]

Thirteenth ranked Westmont men’s soccer claimed their fourth win of the season as the Warriors defeated the Griffins of Westminster by a score of 2-0. Westminster, which boasts a record of 6-5, is now 0-5 against the Golden State Athletic Conference, having previously lost to Fresno Pacific, Point Loma Nazarene, Biola and Vanguard. Today’s game was played at Azusa Pacific.

“I’m pleased with the number of chances we were able to create especially considering that we were without Johnny Alcaraz today,” said head coach Dave Wolf. “Blake Thompson gave us a lift stepping in for Johnny and it was really the first contribution he has been able to make this season.”

[stats]

Westmont men’s soccer (3-3) lost a close battle to the Argonauts of Notre Dame de Namur (3-2-2) in Cupertino this morning by a score of 2-1. All of the scoring took place in a span of eight minutes.

Notre Dame’s Robert Morini opened the scoring with a goal off a corner kick by Daniel Pena in the fifty-second minute. But the thirteenth ranked Warriors answered back less than three minutes later. Senior Sam Hartman took a shot at the goal which bounced off the keeper and found Michael Thompson. Thompson buried the ball in the net to knot the game at one.

[stats]

The Graceland Yellowjackets (Iowa) pulled off a 2-0 upset over #13 Westmont Men’s Soccer at Russ Carr Field on Thursday afternoon. Graceland scored one goal in each half to claim the win.

Graceland (3-1) took nine shots while the Warriors got off eight shots during the contest. However, of Gracelands’ nine attempts, seven were on goal whereas the Warriors had only two shots on target. Westmont goalkeeper Logan Frank notched five saves in the game.

[stats]

Two days after tying the game in the final three minutes of regulation at Claremont, #11 Westmont men’s soccer (3-1) found the shoe on the other foot against #21 Redlands who scored a goal in the final five seconds to earn a 2-1 win over the Warriors.

“It was a tough way to lose,” acknowledged head coach Dave Wolf. “I’m sure that today we feel about like Claremont felt on Thursday night.”

[stats]

Eleventh ranked Westmont men’s soccer (3-0) brought disappointment to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (0-2) on Thursday night with a come-from-behind 2-1 overtime victory.

“We were probably the second best team on the field for 75 minutes tonight,” acknowledged head coach Dave Wolf. “But I have to give credit to our guys for fighting and not giving up.”

[stats]

Westmont men’s and women’s soccer teams find themselves listed in the first regular season NAIA rankings for the 2006 season. The women’s team (3-0) retained its number three status with victories over #13 Simon Frasier of British Columbia (previously #4) and #6 Concordia (Ore.), as well as Oklahoma Baptist.

Martin Methodist (Tenn.) remains at number one in the women’s ratings with Lee (Tenn.) at number two.

Forward Johnny Alcaraz of Westmont was named the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Week today for his contributions to the Warriors’ wins over two top-ten teams on Friday and Saturday.

Despite being double teamed most of the game against #7 Oklahoma Baptist, Alcaraz recorded both a goal and an assist in the Warriors’ season opener. The assist came when Alcaraz connected with senior Michael German.

“Johnny got a free kick around the right-hand side,” said German. “We stacked the run on the left side of the box. I made a darting run to the front post and Johnny played a perfect ball right into my head. I threw my body at the ball and dove. It hit off my head and went straight in.”