Warriors Taking Names Down the Stretch

By Brandon Petersen

This is the team head coach Jack Gidney envisioned from the start. 

Tactically sound, highly collaborative and explosive in bunches, the Westcliff women's soccer team is firing on all cylinders down the stretch. 

Thursday night at Soka, Westcliff racked up yet another clean sheet, and added six more goals.

In its past five Cal Pac contests, all wins, Westcliff has turned in four shutouts and has outscored its opponents, 25-1. 

The 6-0 drubbing Thursday night was highlighted by stellar performances all around, perhaps none more impressive than Sierra Rangel's. 

"There was a lot to highlight," Gidney said. "But Sierra Rangel was excellent and controlled the play in the central area. Connected her passes, won the second balls and kept the rhythm. On top of that, she got the third goal with a great header to put us out of reach.

"However, I could list the good performances all night. There were a lot of wonderful performances, it was a real team performance."

Marthe Engelstad made it 1-0 on a help from Angelina Espinal in the seventh minute and Thea Sofie Kanestrom made it 2-0 in 10 minutes later on a Sebelle Rojas assist.

Rangel (Alessandra Ramirez) took it to 3-0 in the 29th, and Engelstad notched her second in the 45th on a help from Kanestrom. 

Daisy-Mai Clements redirected a rebound to make it 5-0 in the 57th, and Kamila Luna added the cherry topper with a free kick goal in the 77th minute. 

"Tactically, we were excellent," Gidney said. "We have started to really develop our identity as a team on the field, and understand the concepts of how we build our play. 

"We had some really excellent moments, and the fourth goal (Engelstad from Kanestrom) in particular was a great team move."

The Warriors outshot the Lions 20-2.

Taylor Gayer and Ana Martinez Moreno (one save) combined on the clean sheet win. 

Sasha Brafman collected seven saves for Soka. 

"We are starting to see the team I always felt we could be," Gidney said. "We are building great momentum and keeping the clean sheets. 

"We have a couple more injuries to return with Sammy (Martinez) and Albe (Angersbach) and we are ready to make a late push hopefully."

The Warriors (7-3-2, 6-2) currently sit in second place in the Cal Pac standings with four games left to play. 

Westcliff faces league-leading Embry-Riddle on Saturday, Oct. 22, in Arizona. 

Six Cal Pac teams will qualify for the postseason.