Warriors Poised to make Postseason Run

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff women's soccer program took off this season under head coach Jack Gidney, turning in a record-dismantling campaign that left them with a first-round playoff bye and a No. 2 seed heading into the California Pacific Conference semifinals. 

The Warriors will showdown with Saint Katherine at high noon, Thursday at La Sierra in Riverside. 

During a preseason in which the Warriors went unbeaten against NCAA opposition and collected the program's first win over a nationally-ranked opponent, the team faced its fair share of adversity. Injuries to high-profile players and NAIA clearance issues left Westcliff constantly adapting. 

"We were battle-ready and prepared to go to the well in games to grind results," Gidney said. "But we never really had our chance to focus on us, our style, our shape."

That opportunity came during Cal Pac play. Although early losses to La Sierra and Saint Katherine still stick in their craw, the progression of the season revealed those setbacks as aberrations. 

"We settled into our groove," Gidney said. "We saw how the opposition was going to play against us, how the stories of the games were going to be told, and adapted.

"I think we are playing our best soccer."

What the Warriors accomplished in conference play was impressive.

They set new school marks for most wins in a season (10), as well as Cal Pac wins in a season (nine).

The Warriors also set program records for shots (305) and goals scored (43).

Gidney said the bye week after wrapping up the Cal Pac's second seed was awesome for rest and recuperation, but also a challenge to keep everyone mentally and physically sharp, while not knowing who the opponent would be for a large chunk of the break. 

"We did our best to not be stagnant," Gidney said. "We pushed them a little in the sessions."

Westcliff hosted Saint Katherine on Sept. 22 for Think Pink Day at Championship Stadium, losing 2-0. 

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Warriors, who felt they controlled possession, but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. 

"We were still very open and expansive against deep blocks that tried to counter," Gidney said. "We have changed the shape and choreography since to be a little more counter-preventative.

"Credit to Saint Katherine, they recognized and exploited it, but we felt we controlled the play and were wasteful in the final third."

Gidney says the Warriors have evolved, both defensively and offensively since the loss, and that his team is ready to face the Firebirds in the semifinals. 

The Warriors finished the season with a 2.69 goals-per-game average, while Saint Katherine turned in a 2.37. 

"We have have to be us," Gidney said. "We believe we play controlled and attacking soccer. If we are smart with the shape, concentrated, communicative and together as a squad, then we believe we have enough to get the result.

"We must play the game and not the occasion."

Thursday marks the first postseason appearance for Westcliff women's soccer, hopefully the first of many to come. 

"We are so excited to take the women's program to the playoffs for the first time," Gidney said. "We hope that we can use this experience not only to show how good we have become in the last 12 months, but also to make this habitual. 

"This is where we expect to be going forward."