By Cesar Rivas, September 30, 2025
The Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team displayed a dominant team performance with a 3-0 victory over MSU Denver Sept. 21 at Kellogg Stadium.
It has been a perfect start for the Broncos so far this season. They entered the match 5-0, outscoring their opponents 16-4.
“I think today was a good battle for us,” said defender Ally Henry. “Our team had to come together and win our defensive moments, and I think that once we found our rhythm, we were able to stay dominant and just keep going.”
The Broncos brought the intensity from the opening kickoff, applying immediate pressure on the Roadrunners backline. Fullback Georgia Rink joined Henry to be an additional point of attack, providing crosses from the wings.
“I think it’s a mentality, we know we have very strong center backs,” Henry said. “If Georgia and I are able to attack and use the flanks then we’re able to create an overload on the outside and just build on that attack piece.”
The Broncos constant attacking pressure led to back-to-back corners, to which defender Liberty Ortiz was able to connect on for the game’s opening goal in the 28th minute.
Constant pressure from CPP’s attacking fullbacks created multiple scoring opportunities from crosses into the box that were ultimately fruitless. The Roadrunners did have spells of possession throughout the half, but that didn’t cause too much concern for the Broncos defensively.
The Broncos found themselves up 1-0 while outshooting their opponents 10-3 after 45 minutes of play.
With conference play just around the corner, head coach Jay Mason made many substitutes throughout the match and expressed the importance of having a squad with good depth.
“It’s huge, I mean, it’s a massive physical demand on these kids,” Mason said. “For us, with the injuries we have right now, we’re a little bit thin based on the experience we have in our depth. So, to get into a position in a game against a good team where we can play some of those players and give them those moments to build confidence is super important.”
No matter who was on the pitch, the Broncos continued their attack, creating a multitude of scoring opportunities in the second half.
Forward Vanessa Cruz drew a penalty in the 55th minute after she was brought down by a Roadrunner defender, and slotted her fifth goal of the year, making the score 2-0.
Midfielder Abria Smith notched the Broncos third goal in the 83rd minute, after a poor Roadrunners’ defensive clearance took a bounce just inside the box. Smith nailed it into the bottom left corner of the net.
Goalkeeper Jenna Tetrault praised her teammates for controlling the game in front of her and saving her from having to do much in net.
“Honestly, it’s so great, like it feels so good to finally be able to step on the field and have two clean sheets, not only for the back line, but for the whole team,” Tetrault said.
With a 6-0 record as of Sept. 24, CPP women’s soccer is ranked No.1 in the nation in the NCAA Division II, according to United Soccer Coaches.
“I think we got to clean some stuff up a little bit in the final third,” Mason said. “I think we rushed some moments. … We’re going to rest a little bit tomorrow and then get back to work and prepare for East Bay.”
Up next for the Broncos is a road trip to Hayward, California, for their final preseason match-up against Cal State East Bay Sept. 28. The first conference game will also be on the road, as the Broncos will travel to Cal State Monterey Bay Oct. 3.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
