Dubs overcome early goal, take down Simpson

By Brandon Petersen

It was a heck of an afternoon at Championship Stadium Sunday, where the Westcliff women's soccer team followed up the men's clean sheet of Simpson with an impressive 3-1 win of its own. 

For those keeping track of the Warriors' early-season scoring struggles, that now makes eight goals in the past three contests, of which none were losses.

"For a moment, I thought we were going to see the same pattern," Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney said. "But I think what you saw today was the mental impact of goals, regardless of how the play is flowing.

"We were in control for 10, they scored, you see a wobble. But then we get one and the belief comes. Then you get two. Then you get three. And as the game dwindled on, (Simpson) dwindled away. None of that is ability. It's all between the ears."

The Warriors simply dominated possession. 

Outshooting the Red Hawks, 20-3, Westcliff took 12 corners to Simpson's zero, and following a 10th minute goal from Kylie Hokanson, it was all Warriors, all day long. 

"Again, it's all about how the goal effects you, and it's great that we can come from behind and overcome it," Gidney said. "However, we need to be better with that issue. We concede the same goal all the time, and we have to get cleaner in around the goal. 

"If we do those things, we're a force to be reckoned with."

Captain Alessandra Ramirez, playing in her first conference contest since joining the Warriors last week at SDC, tied the match in the 35th minute on a PK.

Merima Boehler then turned in the goal of the day, a gorgeous header to the right corner that came off a Ramirez corner and a Maria Mendez cross, in the 38th minute.

Thea Sofie Kanestrom made it 3-1 in the 61st minute after Marthe Engelstad blasted a shot off keeper, and Kanestrom was Janey-on-the-spot with a rebound redirect. 

"It's not ability, it's how we handle our emotions," Gidney said. "And sometimes you need minutes in the bank. Every minute is valuable. Minutes like today are great. We were behind, now you're winning. You show you can.

"So the next time the ball goes in, you know you can (come back). You've done it before. It's experience. Sometimes, the best way to learn is to do the wrong thing. 

"We have to be prepared for that, we have to know we're going to go through that — we're still a brand new team."

Kiara Fontanilla (one save) had yet another outstanding contest in goal, and Boehler was lights out from the back row, so much so that she was named Player of the Match afterward. 

Destiny Rodriguez made her season — and Westcliff — debut. Like Ramirez, she is a new addition who made an immediate impact. 

"Destiny joined us very late, a late add," Gidney said. "But today, she looked at home. She was actually spectacular."

Kiah Gridley had six saves on nine Warrior shots-on-goal for the Red Hawks. 

Engelstad was outstanding for Westcliff, consistently working the box for six shots, and four on frame. 

Ramirez was equally impressive from the back row, controlling the back line with poise and intelligence. She will be an important fixture for the Warriors moving forward. 

"We are strong believers she will be the best defender in the conference," Gidney said of Ramirez. "She brings experience and leadership as well as ability. Getting her cleared is huge for how we process from the defensive third into the midfield and final third."

The Warriors next travel to Pacific Union for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff Thursday. 

"Would I like it to be more comfortable? Yes. It's better for my heart," Gidney joked. "But a win now, and a nice easy couple of days, and then we prepare for the road and hopefully come back with some more points."