Westlake High Girls Soccer Wins PK Shootout, Advances to State Finals

Team secures historic spot in inaugural CIF-State championship match despite star player being overseas.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Westlake High School girls soccer team has secured a spot in the inaugural CIF-State championship finals in Sacramento, California, after winning a penalty kick shootout in their semifinal match. This marks the first time a high school girls soccer team from the state has reached the new statewide championship game, despite the team's star player being overseas during the playoff run.

Why it matters

The CIF-State championship is a new statewide tournament that aims to determine the best high school girls soccer team in California. Westlake High's achievement of reaching the finals is historic, as no other school has done so before, showcasing the strength of their program and the dedication of the players and coaches.

The details

In the semifinal match, the Westlake High girls soccer team went to a penalty kick shootout after the game was tied at the end of regulation. Senior goalkeeper Cierra Spencer made the decisive save, allowing Westlake to advance to the championship final despite being without their star player, who is currently overseas.

  • The CIF-State championship finals will take place in Sacramento on March 15, 2026.

The players

Cierra Spencer

The senior goalkeeper for the Westlake High girls soccer team, who made the decisive save in the penalty kick shootout to secure their spot in the state finals.

Westlake High School

The high school girls soccer team that has advanced to the inaugural CIF-State championship finals, the first time a team from California has reached this new statewide tournament.

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What they’re saying

“The stars aligned tonight,”

— Cierra Spencer, Westlake High Girls Soccer Goalkeeper

What’s next

The Westlake High girls soccer team will face the winner of the other semifinal match in the CIF-State championship final on March 15, 2026 in Sacramento.

The takeaway

Westlake High's historic run to the inaugural CIF-State girls soccer championship final showcases the strength of their program and the determination of the players, who have overcome the absence of their star player to reach this unprecedented milestone for California high school soccer.