The University of Westcliff women’s soccer team captured its first victory of the 2026 season on September 12, edging Occidental College 3-2 at Orange Coast College. After struggling to score in the early part of the season with only one goal through five games, Westcliff showed a notable offensive improvement in the first half.
Savannah Ritchie opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an assist from Alexandra Gallardo, giving Westcliff an early lead. Occidental’s Mia Merkelbach equalized in the 21st minute. Westcliff then pulled ahead with unassisted scoring by Kuuipo Laumatia in the 32nd minute and another goal from Samantha Aguila, assisted by Jocelyn Coronado, just before halftime to extend the lead to 3-1.
Occidental’s Bella Calemine narrowed the margin to 3-2 in the 55th minute, but Westcliff maintained the lead. Despite Occidental outshooting Westcliff 14-10 overall, including a 6-3 edge in the second half, Westcliff goalkeeper Lola Carson made four key saves to preserve the win.
Westcliff head coach Jack Gidney credited the team’s more aggressive and basic approach to play for the breakthrough scoring. He noted, “We really took a big gamble because when you’re only scoring one goal in five games, it does not really matter how many you let in if you’re never going to score. So, we went for it a little bit, took some gambles, got a nice 3-1.” Gidney also acknowledged some individual errors but highlighted the mental boost the victory provided as the team prepares for a challenging schedule ahead.
The Warriors will next face Azusa Pacific on September 16 before traveling to Oklahoma to play No. 20 Science and Arts on September 19 and Oklahoma City on September 22.
CSB Take
The University of Westcliff women’s soccer team’s first win of the 2026 season represents a significant turning point after early offensive struggles. Head Coach Jack Gidney’s adjustment to a more aggressive and basic attacking strategy unlocked the team’s scoring potential, instilling confidence and momentum. This victory provides a crucial foundation as the Warriors confront a series of demanding upcoming games that will further test their development and resilience.
Source: Original report
