WICHITA FALLS, Tex.--In their first season of NCAA eligibility, the Westmont men's soccer team showed that they belonged in postseason play, falling 2-1 to perennial NCAA tournament contender Cal Poly Pomona at Stang Park.

That outcome moves the No. 7 seed Broncos into a Sunday match with host and No.2 seed Midwestern State. CPP improved to 13-1-7 on the season, while the No. 10 seed Warriors close 2024 at 12-5-4. Westmont came into the NCAA Super Region 4 bout having won seven straight matches, including the Pacific West Conference tournament.

The match was action packed from the beginning. Westmont had its first shot on goal just 30 seconds into the action and had another shot just miss. But CPP went on a counter attack and Mike Moser found the back of the net just 1:09 into the game. Moser was just outside of the box on the right side and skipped a shot into the lower left hand corner of the goal.

Westmont didn't fold though and threatened much of the first half after the Bronco score. The Warriors finally broke through at 20:17 when Daniel Tuscano launched a long pass from the right side to Cash Anderholt, who dropped a pass in front of the goal to Connor Lynch, who flicked it past the keeper to tie the count at 1-1.

There wouldn't be any more scoring through the first 45 minutes, and the stats were even at the break. Both teams had six shots, four of WC's on goal (CPP had three). 

Westmont goalkeeper Mario Floriano, making his first start of the season, had big save early in the second half off a CPP free kick to keep the score even. Both defenses stalled opportunities by their opponent, maybe more so for Cal Poly Pomona as Westmont owned the possession time at 57 percent to CPP's 43.

The match turned for good in the 83rd minute on another Cal Poly Pomona counter attack when Sam Lena brought the ball on a sprint down the left sideline. He sent a cross to Mads Fredericksen who tucked it in the goal just under the top of the crossbar. Westmont had a couple of opportunies down the stretch but couldn't find the back of the net. 

The match finished with the Broncos showing a slight edge in shots (11-9), shots on goal (7-5) and corner kicks (8-6). Cal Poly Pomona, the co-regular season champs of the CCAA were making their fourth straight NCAA appearance. This is Westmont's first year of NCAA eligibility after decades as a member of the NAIA.