Westminster University men’s soccer team faced an impressive rival, California State University Monterey Bay, at the Dumke Field last Thursday. The game highlighted the competitive spirit and persistence of both teams.
As the match kicked off with the whistle, both teams immediately displayed refined skills. The first half passed with neither team scoring, despite promising attempts.
In the second half, the game took a dramatic turn. Jack Cardwell, a junior chemistry major and Westminster’s dynamic forward scored the opening goal.
The play was a result of fast transitions and precise execution.
“We had a strategy to exploit their defensive gaps,” Cardwell explained post-game. “When I got the chance, I took it.”

Westminster’s men’s soccer head coach, Joshua Pittman, prepared the team for this high-stakes experience.
“Cal State Monterey Bay is one of top teams in the country,” Pittman remarked before the game. “We knew they would challenge us, so our focus was on maintaining a solid defense and capitalizing on our chances.”
However, Westminster’s triumph was short-lived.
Westminster managed a severe blow when a red card was issued to one of their players, reducing the group to 10 men. The decision was controversial to players and coaches alike.
This left Westminster tasked with guarding against a formidable rival with a man down for the last 36 minutes.

“We had to adjust our formation to a 5-3-1, with the midfielders working overtime to cover spaces, despite the setback, the team showed incredible resilience,” said Pittman, the head coach, who expressed frustration with the referee’s call but instead focused on his team’s response.
The red card’s impact was evident as Monterey Bay took advantage of outnumbering Westminster’s team. They managed to equalize the score, leading Westminster to face sustained pressure.
However, despite feeling the squeeze, Westminster’s defense held firm, with key saves from goalkeeper Roark Looney, a junior biology major.
Deontae Ben, a junior criminal justice major and transfer from Snow College, played a crucial role in stifling Monterey Bay’s attacks, bringing his 10 years of experience to Westminster’s defensive line.
Nearing the end, Westminster had a slim chance to secure a win, but the team’s exhaustion after defending for over 30 minutes limited their efforts
“We had a few chances to make it 2-1,” Cardwell, the team’s forward, noted. “But given the circumstances, a draw felt like a victory.”
The game finished in a 1-1 draw.
Pittman praised his players under such testing conditions.
“We were up against a top team and managed to secure a point. The resilience and effort shown by the players were exceptional,” Pittman said.