Tactical Victory: Warriors, Bobcats Battle to Scoreless Tie

The Westcliff women's soccer team is back.

Thursday at the Great Park, the Warriors declared their return to the upper echelon of the Cal Pac with a hard-fought, well-deserved scoreless tie with UC Merced.

It was a defensive clinic for the Warriors, who were able to effectively plug-up the Merced attack. Jaida Wilson was particularly impressive, turning in a shut-down performance in thwarting the Bobcats time and again.

Merced turned in just one shot that threatened in 90 minutes, but it was easily stopped by Westcliff keeper Kayli Cokley (two saves) who has been nothing short of spectacular all season long.

After a grueling trip to Cal Maritime and Pacific Union in which the Warriors' bus broke down and the team returned to Irvine a full day late, Thursday's tie felt more like a victory.

"I'm extremely proud of the girls," Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney said. "We had a hellish trip (to northern California), we lost a day of preparation. You've seen us all year, we like to bus the game, and we didn't feel we could accurately prepare them.

"We couldn't tactically find the pockets, we couldn't get into it, we didn't have enough sessions. So, we felt the smarter thing to do, looking at the rest of the schedule – don't get beat.

"Now, that doesn't take a huge amount of talent. But it takes incredible discipline. It takes incredible work-rate and buy-in. And it takes endless concentration. And with one day of prep for that, the girls were unbelievable."

Westcliff finished with just two shots, as the Warriors spent most of the day playing lockdown defense, a tactical decision that will payoff come playoff time.

The Warriors and Bobcats are considered co-favorites to finish the year atop the Cal Pac Conference.

After last season, in which the Warriors were snake-bitten with injuries, Thursday's tie was a clear indication that the program is returning to its championship form.

Merced finished with eight shots, two on frame, on eight corner set pieces.

Westcliff meanwhile had two shots, one on frame, on four corners. The Dubs' most serious threat came at the end of the contest, but Merced keeper Alicia Lepe was able to corral the save.

It was a scrappy contest, with the teams splitting 19 fouls (10 for Merced) and four yellow cards (two apiece).

"There's not a moment in that game I thought (UC Merced) should score," Gidney said. "If anything, I thought we should score at the end. So, I'm so proud of them. I wanted the win for them, because everyone wants to talk about our schedule, and this, and nothing's going right for us – there's a bit of a siege mentality of us against the world right now.

"It's working for us. Let me tell you, I've been here three years, I've never had a group of humans like this. And it's translating. Today, it's getting across. It's a hell of a tactical win, we'll take it, we'll regroup.

 "These are the best two teams in the conference, and I'm sure we'll play them again."