STANDARD BEARERS

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff women's soccer team saw its record-setting season come to a close on Saturday afternoon, falling 3–1 on the road to Embry-Riddle in the NAIA second round.

And while the loss stings, it doesn't come close to overshadowing what Jack Gidney and his group built over the past three months — a season that ended 17-2-1, a perfect 8-0 Cal Pac campaign, a conference championship, and the program's third NAIA national-tournament appearance in four years.

This is what a powerhouse looks like.

"It was a tough loss on the group up here," Gidney said. "We lost Jordyn Gather to injury on Wednesday and then Sam Aguila in the first-half minutes, so it meant our natural outlets we used all year were gone and we had to adjust."

Even with the injuries, Westcliff still punched back. Embry-Riddle scored twice in the first half, and the Warriors were forced to reorganize on the fly. "During that period, we looked nervous and hesitant and were dropping too deep," Gidney said. "We invited on too much pressure."

But like they did all year, Westcliff corrected at halftime.

"Second half we injected a bit of belief back in and stepped higher and had a fantastic first 15 or so to start the second half," Gidney said. "Unfortunately, we needed a goal in that period in order to fully swing the momentum back. 2–1 with us in the ascendency is a very different game."

The Warriors pressed hard, but a third Embry-Riddle goal came against the run of play.

Stephanie Serrato pulled one back late off an assist from Bella Hicken, but the clock ran out on the comeback.

"Group fought really hard and got one back, but sadly not enough time left to sway the tide," Gidney said.

The defeat came on a day that marked the end of the greatest season the program has ever produced.

Kayli Cokely earned the all-time Westcliff saves record.

Jysabella Tolentino shattered the all-time goal record.

Jordyn Gather was easily the Cal Pac Player of the Year.

And the Warriors went undefeated in conference play for the first time in program history.

"Incredibly proud of these individuals," Gidney said. "A fantastic group and they've been phenomenal to work with. We are very proud to be associated with them."

Even after Saturday's loss, Westcliff ends the year as the standard of the Cal Pac and a rising force nationally — a program with a culture and foundation strong enough to meet the demands of championship expectations.

The season ended in Prescott, but the progress of Gidney's burgeoning dynasty has yet to be stopped.