Westcliff Rolls Park, Embry-Riddle Next

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff women's soccer team has certainly found itself over the course of the past six Cal Pac contests, with a 4-0 win over at Park-Gilbert Thursday serving as the latest piece of evidence. 

"Another clean sheet for us and a host more goals," Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney said. "Our games are finding a pattern and a rhythm, and are looking routine. (Today's was) a very professional performance."

Since the Warriors suffered surprising back-to-back losses to La Sierra and Saint Katherine early in the schedule, Westcliff has rolled off six straight wins, five clean-sheets and have outscored their opponents, 29-1. 

Impressive as that is, league-leading Embry-Riddle has been even better. 

The Eagles are currently 10-0 in Cal Pac play with nine shutouts and have outscored their opponents, 52-1. 

Second-place Westcliff (7-2) travels to Embry-Riddle Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff between the league leaders. 

Thursday at Park, the usual suspects were up to their old tricks, with Sierra Rangel, Thea Sofie Kanestrom, Alessandra Ramirez and Sarah Taghaboni all finding net. 

Ashley Sanchez, Christine Thorvaldsen and Samantha Martinez picked up assists.

"Our central midfielders — Sierra Rangel, Sofie Fagereng and Angelina Espinal — did such a good job in allowing us to control that area of the pitch," Gidney said. "Ashley Sanchez was superb playing in two roles tonight. 

"But Thea Kanestrom was the difference-maker, a constant threat, picking up yet another goal and winning the penalty kick."

Westcliff out-shot Park 15-4, and took nine more corners. 

Ana Martinez Moreno picked up yet another clean sheet on a pair of saves. 

"Credit to Park, they had a defensive game plan," Gidney said. "They sat in a low block and closed the seams, making it tricky for us to create anything clear in the first 22 minutes.

"We had to stay calm and patient and trust the system with decisions to keep moving the ball. We had some great passages of play and we were dominant on the ball again."

Although Saturday will undoubtedly be the Warriors' most challenging match of the Cal Pac season, there are reasons for optimism. 

The Eagles have blown-out most of their Cal Pac foes, but did no such thing against Simpson or UC Merced. 

The Eagles beat Simpson 1-0, and the Bobcats 2-1 — Westcliff beat Simpson 3-0, and UC Merced 3-2. 

Saturday's contest will be streamed live through Embry-Riddle's athletics website.