West powered in four goals in two Pioneer wins and had plenty of defensive help from her teammates as the Mustangs shut out Piedmont Hills 3-0 and Branham 4-0 last week.

The two wins, coupled with a Leigh loss, allowed the Mustangs to move into first place in the division with the slimmest of leads at week's end and with the opportunity to control their own destiny. Pioneer (8-0-3) had a one-point lead over Leigh (8-1-2) with one league game remaining at home against rival Leland (4-2-5) on Feb. 9. Leigh faced Branham (2-7-2) at home. Branham has had a tough transition season into the Mt. Hamilton Division but has been improving weekly.

The Mustangs put in all three of their goals in the first half against Piedmont Hills with West blasting in two. Stephanie Righetti and Alysia Ramirez picked up an assist each when they set up West with excellent cross-ins. Righetti got a second assist on the day with a cross to the back of the box where Gina Flores went high to knock in a header for Pioneer's third goal.

"We moved the ball well and played well as a team," Pioneer coach Randy Worthington said. "Our defense did a nice job of controlling the game."

The defense did shine as a whole with Pioneer goalie Kalia Demarques only touching the ball three times during the game. Worthington singled out Michele Schenone as having a "very good game at the stopper spot." For the past four games, Schenone has been filling in at various positions due to injuries. During that span Pioneer has won all four and has allowed only one goal.

West continued her offensive surge, firing in another two goals in the 4-0 win over Branham on Friday. Freshman Samantha Vega matched West's effort, popping in two scores. Righetti was in on the action again, setting up a goal each for West and Vega.

"They played us tough on their home field which is a short field and narrow," Worthington said.

"But we kept the pressure on in the second half and I think we had a little more legs," the coach added.

Pioneer's defense remained stellar, controlling and dominating throughout the game, although the Mustangs were without key defenders Jules Setnicker and Syra McCarthy due to injuries. Worthington pointed out Amy Cusick, A.J. Roman, Trejo, Kendra Worthington, and Bianca Springer as key defenders who had a "solid and good game."

Branham put up a tough fight itself and the score remained 1-0 until late in the match. "The girls played their hearts out," Branham coach Ron Smare said.

"Seniors Amanda Drasny and Lauren Jenness were again outstanding in the defeat. Midfielders junior Megan O'Keefe, senior Ashley Bay, and sophomore Jenna Saenz also played very well. Freshman sweeper Kandace Harmon continued her season long improvement with an outstanding game."

Earlier in the week, the Bruins fought Leland to 0-0 stalemate and got a bit of satisfaction, avenging a 4-0 loss they had suffered at the hands of the Chargers earlier in the season. The defense was led by Drasny, Harmon, and senior goalkeeper Jessica Whittemore.

The offense played well and created several scoring opportunities that just did not quite come to fruition.

"Overall, the team has remained very positive and has improved greatly," Smare said. "They have made tremendous strides adapting to the 'A' league."

The Bruins have a very young squad with 15 of 21 members being under classmen. That total includes six sophomores and three freshmen, which means a lot of talent and experience will be returning next year.

"We just had a problem putting the ball in the net," Leland coach John Vasquez said. "We had at least 10 good opportunities to score, but it was just one of those days where we could not get it in."

Leland actually had one goal scored in the first half, which was called back by the referee.

Fortunately for the Chargers, their defense was strong even though the offense couldn't get clicking. Vasquez indicated that Morgan Wampler, Katie Campbell, and Karina Cavanna put forth an outstanding defensive effort.