The West Valley women's soccer team, as hot as the September Saratoga sun, blistered visiting Diablo Valley 8-1 Tuesday afternoon. It was 97 at kickoff at Dick Schwendinger Field, and it didn't take long for the Viking offense to reach a boil in the 2024 version of the "Battle of the Vikings".

Katherine Meck broke through the DVC defense, rocketing in an Andrea Gonzalez feed from the top of the box for a 1-0 WVC lead in the 5th minute. Meck's goal ignited a WVC firestorm that didn't extinguish until after the end of regulation.

Amanda Avila hit the first of her three goals in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a perfect Melissa Arellano cross. Not to be outdone, Gonzalez, from Esme Flores, buried the first of HER three goals at 45'. Avila closed out the first half just seconds before the horn with goal number two off a Meck helper.

The Vikings (5-3-1) stayed hot after the break with a trio of goals to counter one by DVC (3-3-2). Gonzalez connected on an unassisted tally in the 53rd minute, and Melissa Arellano scored in her 2nd straight game nine minutes later, assisted by Laura Hernandez.

After Suhani Singh put DVC on the board in the 68th minute, Gonzalez completed her hat trick with an unassisted goal at the 80-minute mark. Avila posted her hat trick early in stoppage time, with Hernandez assisting.

Nevaeh Reyes just missed her fourth shutout of the season, but picked up win number five.

West Valley begins a three-fixture road trip 10/1, taking on its 3rd straight Big 8 foe, American River (3-5-2), in Sacramento. Coast Conference action begins 10/4 at Foothill (6-2-0) and at Las Positas (2-4-1) Oct. 8. WVC welcomes Cañada (5-2-2) to Saratoga 10/11 for their Coast Conference home opener.