Gassed Dubs Can’t Find Legs in Loss to La Sierra

By Brandon Petersen

Coming off an exciting — and taxing — Cal Pac opening win against UC Merced Friday night, the Warriors had to be wary of a let-down game Sunday at the Great Park. 

Unable to find their legs, or their production in the box, Westcliff fell to visiting La Sierra, 2-1. 

"Tired, leggy, reactionary," Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney said. "Coming off a high, couldn't get on rhythm, couldn't get on pace, heavy touches, poor decisions, lack of quality in and around the box."

Nelly Galeana made it 1-1 in the 56th minute off a corner from Sebelle Rojas. Galeana collected, set and shot a beauty that found net. 

That was the extent of Westcliff's production, despite shooting 21 shots, nine better than the Golden Eagles. 

However, the Warriors did have a goal disallowed in the first half. 

"That's two games in a row, in that final 18, where games are won or lost, we've had a perfectly onside goal disallowed," Gidney said. "He saw the footage afterward and he admitted he got it wrong."

Arianna Perez shot the game-winner in the 68th minutes from 35 yards out. 

The beautiful one-timer sailed just beyond the outstretched fingertips of a leaping Kiara Fontanilla. 

Speaking of Fontanilla, she impressed once again, finishing with six saves, including a pair at point-blank range. 

Citlalli Pedraza opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with an unassisted score. 

"At the end of the day, I don't feel like we got beat, we lost, we gave the game away," Gidney said. "The game was in our control, we had more than enough quality on the pitch, we just didn't perform well enough.

"Sometimes that happens."

Up next, the Warriors host Saint Katherine on Blue & Gold Night, next Thursday at Great Park Championship Stadium.