July 12, 2026
Photo by John Sadiarin
DAVIS, Calif. — For the fourth time in five years, and for the seventh time in the 28-season WPSL history of the club, California Storm is returning to the WPSL Championships.
Storm rolled past Spokane Shadow 8-0 to book its return to the league championship in Riverside, Mo., winning its third consecutive West Region title.
Storm won two of the last four WPSL championships: 2022 and 2024 to bring its total to a WPSL record five national titles. Storm missed out on number six last year, falling in the WPSL Championships final to Sporting CT.
Storm’s return to the WPSL Championships was never in doubt in Sunday’s West Region Final played on its home ground, Davis Legacy Sports Complex.
Storm was the aggressor from the opening whistle, testing Spokane goalkeeper early and often before Alex Kloss finished into the upper corner from 12 yards out off a feed from Erica Grilione to make it 1-0 in the 11th minute.
The flood gates opened from there.
Paige Thompson doubled the Storm lead in the 23rd minute, followed by Ella Cochon in the 40th minute to make it 3-0. Grilione’s penalty kick in the second minute of first half stoppage time to make it 4-0 at the half.
Susie Long scored two minutes into the second half, followed by Ciara Wilson in the 68th minute, Anna Gilbertson in the 75th minute, and Savannah Schwarze in the 82nd.
Storm goalkeeper Abbie Faingold earned the clean sheet in goal for the Storm.
California Storm next faces Central Region winners Kansas City Current II in the WPSL Championships Semifinal June 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (or later, depending on the result of the morning’s first semifinal) at Riverside Stadium.
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WPSL West Region Final
Sunday, July 12, 2026
7 p.m. PDT
Davis Legacy Soccer Complex
Davis, Calif.
California Storm:
Spokane Shadow:
1-0: Kloss 11’
2-0: Thompson 23’
3-0: Cochon 40’
4-0: Grilione (PK) 45+2’
5-0: Long 47’
6-0: Wilson 68’
7-0: Gilbertson 75’
8-0: Schwarze 82
Misconduct:
Cox – Spokane Shadow – 56’
Hunter – California Storm – 61’
California Storm: Abbie Faingold, Alex Kloss, Amelia Villa, Ciara Wilson, Elizabeth Hutchison, Erica Grilione, Kennedy Mayo, Madison Ayson, Miya Alamares, Paige Thompson, Paloma Daubert. Substitutes: Anna Gilbertson, Aubrey McLin, Dalia Asad, Ella Cochon, Lauren Hunter, Riley West, Savannah Schwarze, Susie Long, Yasmin Azar.
Spokane Shadow: Aliana Vakaloloma; Erin Ewers, Boo Mills, Addison Cox; Quinn Mueller, Camilla Contreras Bran, Kyah Le; Makenna Stuart, Delani Walker, Georgia Whitehead. Substitutes: Alaina Asan, Avery Davidson, Riley Brazle.
