After being labeled underdogs the whole playoff run, the sixth-seeded girls soccer team beat the fifth-seed Coronado Islanders 2-1 in the D-I CIF championships, Feb. 28. Though the game remained close, the Wolverines were able to pull through.
Captain and center back Mya Omisore (12) said the team’s winning mentality going into the game carried them to victory.
“We were confident going into it, we knew that we had the harder side of the bracket,” she said. “We were kind of underdogs going into that game, but we knew if we just played to our style and stayed confident in how we played, then we would be solid.”
The Wolverines opened the game strong, prioritizing possession in their 3-5-2 formation. Omisore said that after some scoring struggles early in the season, the defensive shift to two strikers in the formation created better defending in transitions and more chances to score up top.
With few scoring opportunities in the opening 15 minutes, some good link up play in the midfield drifted out in space for Ally Damron (10) on the left wing. She took a few touches towards the Islanders’ box and shot with her left foot. Her shot just kissed the bottom of the crossbar and hit the back of the net, 1-0.
“It felt really good, it was a really good start, Damron said. “I feel like we already had control of the game at that point, so it was good having that lead at halftime.”
Omisore said the lead helped the team feel in control and limit rash mistakes.
“We played really well, everybody was super unselfish, we all defended together, communicated, and we were able to keep the ball most of the time,” Omisore said.
The Wolverines remained on the attack in their 3-5-2 formation during the second half and created openings along the right wing. The continuous flow of the game and control of possession made it easy for the Wolverines to dictate play in the early parts of the half.
In the 23rd minute, the Wolverines won a corner after an attack on the right wing. After the cross in, the ball fell at the feet of Omisore, who quickly placed the ball in the back of the net to make the score 2-0.
“It was sick, I was just so excited,” Omisore said. “I’m just really happy [the goal] happened in my senior year.”
Being the team’s top scorer this season as a center defender with six goals, Omisore said she attributes much of her success to her teammates.
“I’m in the spots I need to be when they need me,” Omisore said. “I know where they’re gonna play the ball and they’ve been so consistent with their service all season. They just make it easy.”
With 20 minutes left in the game, Westview continued on the attack. Continuing in their primary attacking formation, there remained a large risk of getting scored on in the counterattacks because the formation required more wingers and fewer outside defenders. When the other team sprang attacks, it would be harder to defend, which proved in the Islanders’ late goal to make the score 2-1.
In response, the Wolverines decided to shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation that brought back more defenders and made it easier to pressure the other team while not being exposed defensively.
Both Damron and Omisore said it was essential for the team to lean on each other in the final stretch to close the game out.
“It’s been very important—everyone believing in each other—because once we started putting our faith into each other we played better together,” Damron said. “The energy was just a lot better.”
Together, the Wolverines were able to close out the victory and earn the CIF championship trophy.
After earning the title, the team shifted its focus to D-II state championships. Seeded at the eighth spot and bottom of the bracket, the Wolverines were once again underdogs.
The Wolverines faced Newport Harbor in the first round, winning 1-0, March 3. Damron was once again able to find the back of the net, cementing the Wolverines’ placement in regional state semifinals.
“It was scary just because I love the team so much, and just knowing that any game could be our last [was] very scary,” Damron said. “So every moment I got, I tried to score just so I could play another game with these girls.”
In the semifinals, the Wolverines faced the Notre Dame Knights who are ranked 67th in the nation. With two goals from Elle McMurrey (11), the Wolverines were able to pull off the 2-0 upset to clinch their spot in the regional state championship, March 5.
“I was really excited that I was able to score twice to help us get to regional finals,” McMurrey said. “No one thought in the beginning of the season that we would’ve made it that far so I was definitely proud.”
In the state championships, Westview faced the Westlake Warriors, the second-seeded and 22nd ranked team in the nation.
After keeping a clean sheet once again, the game moved to extra time and ended up riding on penalty kicks. Though the Wolverines had gone to penalties before in the CIF semifinals, they fell short in the shootout, 3-1.
“We were sad our season was over but also happy because of how far we made it,” Omisore said. “We played really well during the playoffs and I was feeling sad because I knew it was my last game but also very proud at the same time.”
Damron said she felt the Wolverines’ success was largely due to their team chemistry.
“I felt like we really believed in ourselves,” Damron said. “Because no one else did, we were the only ones that could have believed in us.”
