By Brandon Petersen
Midway through the first half of the California Pacific Conference Women's Soccer championship match Saturday night at La Sierra, a fan dressed in blue bellowed from the sideline: "Come on, Eagles! Take what is yours!"
If indeed the Cal Pac is owned by Embry-Riddle, Westcliff never got the memo.
After delivering a 1-0 knockout punch to the previously unbeaten, nationally-ranked Eagles, the Warriors are Cal Pac champions.
"It's indescribable," Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney said. "It hasn't sunk in yet. There's obvious joy, but I think right now relief. We talked privately as a group that we could do this. We said if we do X, Y, Z, this is attainable.
"To do it is unreal."
Embry-Riddle deserves every accolade it attained this season, and will likely make a run at nationals — there's no question they were the Cal Pac bullies all season long.
Allowing just one goal the entire league campaign, the Eagles racked up 11 shutouts and 12 wins.
But a funny thing happens when you punch a bully in the mouth.
Thea Kanestrom delivered the deciding blow Saturday. Fitting, for the Warriors' uber-talented wing, since her right foot also sent Westcliff to the championship.
It was the 31st minute, and the Warriors had poked and prodded at the Eagles D for most of the half.
But Kanestrom went Kanestrom on them, working deep into enemy territory, finding a rebound, and drilling an absolute rocket to the upper-shelf from 30 yards out.
On Oct 22, Westcliff traveled to Prescott, and like every other Cal Pac opponent, the Eagles dispatched them without much thought.
But the Warriors were paying close attention, knowing that if they wanted to win the hardware, Embry-Riddle was who they would have walk through.
"We imposed ourselves, we got caught (in Arizona)," Gidney said. "But we also learned about their runners from midfield, who are excellent. Their toughness at the back and why they are who they are with the awards they got.
"They're an excellent team, and so, so tough to beat."
Embry-Riddle won the shots battle 13-11, and took four more corners than the Warriors.
But they didn't have Alessandra Ramirez. Or Destiny Rodriguez. Or Christine Thorvaldsen. A group of Warrior defenders who took the monumental task that is the Eagles on their shoulders — and carried the Warriors to victory.
Ramirez is a calming presence, she does everything well and everything right. You can count on her, and she doesn't let you down — ever.
Thorvaldsen is the workhorse, the athlete, sacrificing her body and beating almost everyone one-on-one, there's a reason why she is the league's defensive MVP.
Rodriguez doesn't carry the same high profile as the other two, nevertheless, her incredible effort Saturday can't be overstated, and the Warriors might not have gotten it done without her.
"Destiny has been absolutely outstanding since she came here," Gidney said. "She's so reliable and steady. You could set your watch by her. Wonderful player, wonderful human being. Goes under the radar, but she's magnificent."
Kanestrom was a beast, and led the way in shots with three, but Ramirez equaled the total with three herself. Sierra Rangel had one, as did Maria Mendez.
Nelly Galeana almost made it 1-0 in the opening minutes when she scorched a shot that clanged off the crossbar.
Keeper Ana Martinez Moreno was spectacular in the clean sheet performance. Her toughest save came with less than three minutes left and the Eagles furiously working the box in search of an opening.
When the final second ticked off the clock, the Warriors rushed the field, joined by a large cohort of fanatics who made the trip out.
Westcliff's rooting section was electric all evening long, thanks in large part to the men's soccer team, who turned it into a party worthy of the Premier League.
All of it amounted to a magical evening no one at Westcliff will ever forget.
"I wish I could give some rousing speech, but I'm spent," Gidney said. "The girls have had a tough few years, but tonight they got everything they deserved.
"And to honor the first players ever in the program — to send those seniors off as Cal Pac champions — is special."
Gidney also thanked his incredible coaching staff.
"Matt, Paige, Kathy, Francesca, Ty, Randy and Sanjay — they were spectacular," he said. "We will savor this for some time."
And, oh yeah, one last request from the head coach:
"Let's get those rings measured up!"
