In the 27-year history of the WPSL, no team has ever repeated as champion. It would be only fitting if league-founding club, California Storm, the winningest team in WPSL history, became the first to win back-to-back championships. 

 

Winners of two out of the last three WPSL championships, the Storm looks to make history next week in Stillwater, Okla. when it tries to make it three out of four. After winning the Zanelli Cup in 2022 over Colorado Rapids Women, Storm fell shockingly to SC del Sol out of the Desert Conference in the 2023 West Region Final.  Storm rallied in 2024, winning its conference for a third consecutive year enroute to its record fifth WPSL championship, a 1-0 win over Charlotte Eagles. 

 

This year Storm left little to doubt, going 7-0-1 to win the NorCal Conference, five points clear of second place Fresno Freeze FC. 

 

 

Photo by Sandra Velez-Lopez

 

The club was led by Lauren Hunter, West Region Offensive Player of the Week from Matchweek Nine, with five goals over the regular season, followed by Sarah Foley with four. 

 

Along with Hunter, California Storm executive director and coach, Jamie Levoy cited Hunter’s strike partner, Lauren Kenny as one of the team’s offensive leaders. With two goals on the season, much of Kenny’s most valuable work is done in the play leading up to a goal. 

 

“These players have been really consistent throughout the season and impact every game,” Levoy said. 

 

 

Photo by Sandra Velez-Lopez

But where the Storm really stood out in 2025 was on the defensive end, conceding a conference-low five goals on the season thanks to the goalkeeping of Abbie Faingold and defenders Paloma Daubert, Amelia Villa, and West Region Defensive Player of the Week from Matchweek Two, Anna Emperador. 

 

After a shocking 1-0 loss at Lamorinda United to close out Matchweek Eight, Storm rallied for a pair of decisive shutout wins to enter the West Region Playoffs, cruising past El Paso Surf from the Desert Conference in the semifinal to face host, So Cal Union FC. 

 

Erica Grilione scored her first goal of the season for Storm in the 11th minute to give the reigning champs a 1-0 lead, and Miya Alamares doubled the lead with her second goal of the season in the 11th minute and left the rest up to the Storm defense. 

 

 

Photo by Sandra Velez-Lopez

 

Standing in Storm’s way of the league’s first ever back-to-back champions is South Region winners, Chattanooga FC, which features two former California Storm players: midfielder Hanna Tillett and South Region Defensive Player of the Week from Matchweek Nine, goalkeeper Maddie Smith. 

 

“Both are excellent players and awesome people,” Levoy said. “We look forward to reuniting with them and having a fun game.” 

 

A win over Chattanooga on Friday night puts Storm into the eighth WPSL Championship Final for the club in its 27-year WPSL tenure. The significance of this record-setting feat is not lost on Levoy or the team. 

 

“It is a great way to honor and recognize the great alumnae that have come before and show that we are playing incredibly high-level soccer,” Levoy said. “Our passion is to be a pathway for our players to play professionally and prepare them for their college season. Making it to the WPSL Championships shows us that we are continuing to prove that environment. They work extremely hard and are very dedicated to being the best players they can be. We are thrilled to see their hard work pay off and be part of their journey.”

 

California Storm faces Chattanooga FC in the WPSL Championships Semifinal nightcap at Neal Patterson Stadium on the campus of Oklahoma State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. (CDT), with the winner advancing to the final on Sunday at 7 p.m. (CDT). Watch all the action on the National Soccer Network live or on demand.