In a Coast-to-Coast Conference matchup on October 24, 2026, the UC Santa Cruz men’s soccer team lost to Westmont College 3-2 in Santa Barbara, California. Westmont took an early lead with goals in the 4th and 48th minutes and added another in the 68th minute to secure the victory.
UC Santa Cruz captain and midfielder Soren Groessl scored both goals for the Banana Slugs. He converted a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and scored again in the 87th minute, marking his first brace and sixth goal of the season. Despite his efforts, UC Santa Cruz could not overcome the early deficit.
UC Santa Cruz registered seven shots with four on goal, while Westmont College also maintained strong offensive pressure. The Bananas Slugs will host Azusa Pacific University on October 31, 2026, for their final regular season home game before the Coast-to-Coast Conference Tournament.
CSB Take
Soren Groessl’s two-goal performance underscored his importance to the UC Santa Cruz men’s soccer team, showing continued leadership and scoring prowess. Although the team fell short, the match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly defensively, as they prepare for the concluding regular season game and the conference tournament. Groessl’s contribution remains vital as the Banana Slugs aim to finish their season strong.
Source: Original report
