Unfinished Business: Westcliff Women’s Soccer Sets Sights on 2025
Last fall, for 55 minutes in Idaho, the Warriors were on the brink of rewriting history. A 1-0 lead against the No. 5 team in the nation had Westcliff women’s soccer just minutes away from shocking the country. Instead, the season ended in heartbreak as the team fell to College of Idaho on the national stage. Even so, the Warriors closed 2024 as Cal Pac champions with a commanding 12-1-3 record, and from that bittersweet finish comes the fuel driving their 2025 campaign.
“We know what we need to change from last year,” said defender Jordyn Gather. “A lot of the girls have grown since last year and with the new girls coming on, it’ll be a better energy, and a lot of us are more determined than ever.”
It’s a team hungry to grow, and under head coach Jack Gidney’s leadership, the focus is simple: keep the joy, raise the standard and turn last year’s lessons into this year’s breakthrough. The Warriors know the pressure of expectations can be heavy, but Gidney’s philosophy is about balance, building a program that thrives on preparation and intensity without losing the fun that made players love the game in the first place.
“People get into sport when they’re little because of the joy in it,” said Gidney. “We want to make sure that we find that blend of pushing as hard as we can in the important moments, but also not losing the love playing as a team.”
With strong leadership on the sideline and on the field, Westcliff women’s soccer is ready to turn heads once again on the national stage for the 2025 season.
Shaped by Challenges
To begin any season with momentum, a team must first prove it can endure hardship. For Westcliff, that test came in 2023, when injuries and setbacks clouded their campaign. Rather than fold, the Warriors used those challenges to sharpen their mentality for the subsequent season. By the time 2024 arrived, the lessons of perseverance had taken into effect, and the team rallied through the Cal Pac to reclaim both the regular season and tournament titles. In 2025, they must carry that same resolve and push even further, turning hard-earned lessons into a deeper run at nationals.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves the year after winning, and it got emotional when things didn’t go right,” Gidney said. “This year we’re calmer, keeping a fresh slate and focusing on what’s next.”
The players also echo that sentiment.
“Last year was an exciting year, but unfortunately we didn’t succeed as far as we wanted to,” expressed goalkeeper Kayli Cokley. “But it was a great learning experience for myself, my coaching staff and for our players. Making it as far as people didn’t think we were going to make it just proves how resilient we are as a group. And we’re even more resilient this year.”
That resilience is now paired with fresh talent, creating a roster that balances experience with new energy and sets the stage for the season ahead.
New Faces, New Energy
If 2024 was about proving they could stand with the nation’s elite, 2025 is about sharpening and sustaining that identity. Westcliff enters the new season with a veteran core that knows what it takes to win, now strengthened by a wave of newcomers ready to help the team maintain winning ways. Together, they have created a training ground where competition fuels growth and raises the standard across the field.
The result is a style of play that mirrors the team’s personality. The Warriors are quick on the wings, relentless in transition and anchored by a goalkeeper who thrives with the ball at her feet. It is a brand of soccer designed for big moments and one that makes this group dangerous against any opponent.
“I think we have so many individually strong players this year,” said Gather. “It will be exciting to see everyone step into their roles and really show what they can do.”
With chemistry building and friendly competition at the forefront of this season’s agenda, the outlook points to an even higher ceiling in 2025.
Eyes on 2025
Westcliff enters 2025 with a mix of veteran presence, new talent and a shared belief. Veterans like Cokley and Gather set the tone, while new players bring energy and hunger to also assert themselves on a national stage.
But the key to turning potential into success goes beyond the players and coaches. It also lies in the support of the Westcliff community to rally behind the team at every game.
“We would really appreciate your support this year,” Gidney said. “The athletes on this team are absolutely wonderful, and they deserve all the praise in the world. They deserve your support, so please come out and cheer them on.”
The Warriors opened their 2025 season in stellar fashion, defeating The Master’s 1-0 on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at OC Great Park in Irvine. Midfielder Isabella Covarrubias provided the decisive goal to secure the win. Westcliff will face Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, California, for its next game on Friday, Aug. 29.