THE EQUALIZER
Lopez rights the ship, steers Warriors to win
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 1 | 3 |
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1 | 0 | 1 |
Team Stats
Occidental College
| Game Statistics | Westcliff (CA) | Occidental College |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 11 (8) | 20 (7) |
| Saves | 6 | 5 |
| Fouls | 12 | 9 |
| Corner Kicks | 5 | 6 |
| Offsides | 0 | 1 |
By Brandon Petersen
Westcliff women's soccer looked like a different team after conceding early Friday night at Occidental.
Flat-footed and sluggish at the start, the Warriors got the wake-up call they needed — and Amylette Lopez made sure they answered.
The freshman forward delivered her biggest performance yet, scoring twice to erase the deficit and put the Warriors ahead before halftime.
Her equalizer came from the spot after winning a penalty with a sharp turn, then she cheekily chipped the keeper just before the break for the lead.
From there, history stepped in. Senior striker Jysabella Tolentino added the insurance goal in the 64th minute, a composed finish that not only sealed the 3–1 win but also tied Thea Sofie Kanestrom's program record of 19 career goals.
"Amylette was superb all game," head coach Jack Gidney said. "She won a penalty, finished it well, and then showed her quality with the chip right before halftime. Then Jay came through to kill the game with a great recovery and reverse finish."
Gidney also noted Tolentino's relentless drive: "She'll be pleased to equal the goalscoring record, but if you know her at all you know she won't be satisfied with that. She'll already be looking at Sunday to make that record her own."
The Warriors (5-0-1) showed grit after what Gidney admitted was "a really flat start," reminding themselves what it takes to keep momentum rolling in Cal Pac play.
Lopez, meanwhile, has already put her name into the early conversation for Cal Pac Newcomer of the Year with her game-changing presence.
The Dubs travel to former Cal Pac rival La Sierra for a 5 p.m. kickoff Sunday.