SDC Snags Stalemate Late

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff women's soccer team was cruising toward a nice nonconference win in Santee Wednesday afternoon, but a last-minute goal derailed those plans in a 2-2 tie at San Diego Christian. 

Following a scoreless first half in which the Warriors outshot SDC, 8-1, Sebelle Rojas and Thea Sofie Kanestrom both scored within a minute of each other at the outset of the second, to take a quick 2-0 lead. 

Angelina Espinal picked up assists on both goals. 

However, Ashley Galvan cut the lead in half at the 62-minute mark, and with 1:55 left on the clock, Layla Flores tied it up.

"Tough, physical game on a very narrow pitch," Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney said. "Not much space to find the pockets of play for the creative players."

Although SDC outshot Westcliff in the second half, the Warriors still held an 11-8 advantage at the final whistle. 

The Warriors also topped SDC in corners.

"We had a lot of possession," Gidney said. "We took a nice lead, but also missed a PK. Some individual errors and we find ourselves back at 2-2 in a game we should have been far and away out of sight. 

"Frustrating."

Sofie Fagereng stood out to Gidney as the game's top performer.

"She was excellent in the middle of midfield today," he said. "Her partnership with Sierra Rangel was the best it's been as far as controlling the game."

Westcliff (3-3-2, 2-2) now returns to Cal Pac play with its annual "Think Pink" game to promote cancer awareness this Sunday. 

The game will be held in Championship Stadium. 

Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. against Simpson.