By Cesar Rivas, December 9, 2025
The NCAA West Regional Final saw a rematch of the first game of the 2025 campaign, as the Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team faced off against Azusa Pacific University, which resulted in an 1-0 win for the Broncos Nov 29.
The last time these two teams met was Sept. 4, where the Broncos captured a 3-1 victory with goals from Marisa Salazar, Anna Schellpeper and Vanessa Cruz.
“It was fun to see the difference between the two teams from the start of the season to the end,” said head coach Jay Mason. “I think today was a good representation of two teams that were well organized and wanted to win the game.”
Fast forward to the NCAA Round of 16, where every game is an elimination, the pressure was on both squads to keep their season alive.
APU came flying out at the opening whistle, playing a ball down the left side, earning a corner kick within the first 30 seconds.
The Cougars thought they had the game’s opening goal in the fifth minute, from a designed set piece. However, the goal was ultimately called back for offsides.
When APU didn’t have possession, the Cougars were quick to press the Broncos in their own defensive third. Mason spoke on how his side was able to play out of tight pressing scenarios.
“I think part of it’s muscle memory,” Mason said. “And I think we have a certain set of principles we want them to play, and then they have the ability. We have a really talented group top to bottom. They’re able to solve scenarios on their own, which I think makes any team really hard to deal with.”
With the game evening itself out, the Broncos created their first chance in the 13th minute with a free kick from just outside the center circle. Defender Liberty Ortiz sent in a looming ball over the top APU goalkeeper Alexia Muniz ultimately collected.
CPP created another chance with a quick one-two between forward Angelina Rivas and midfielder Sabine Ramos down the right wing, when Ramos sent a shot on target that didn’t cause much trouble for Muniz.
The Broncos broke the deadlock when Rivas out-jumped her defender to place the header in the back of the net from a cross by midfielder Kiarra D’Arcangelo in the 39th minute.
“I saw (Kiarra) driving down the line, and I knew she was going to put a great ball in,” Rivas said. “… I timed it right, saw where the goalie was, knew where to where to put it, and I put it there. It was a surreal feeling. It was just a great moment to embrace my friends and my teammates and the environment around us that everyone’s provided for us, the staff, the program, the entire school. It was amazing.”
As the last six minutes expired, the Broncos entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The start of the second half mirrored the first when APU had a set piece float into the box that was cleared away by the Broncos defense in the 48th minute.
As the match settled itself, neither side managed to create any threatening chances, highlighting the impact both backlines had.
“There were so many moving pieces today,” Ortiz said. “You played some of the same shapes so many times, but everybody plays it just a little bit differently, and so you never really know what to expect. What we see on film isn’t necessarily what we’re going to see in front of us, and so communication is always it.”
The Broncos created a chance in the 70th minute. Salazar picked up the ball on the endline, as she beat a defender in the box and cut to a shot on her left foot that missed wide left.
APU followed with another set piece opportunity just two minutes later from just outside the penalty area that was cleared away by CPP defender Giselle Samayoa.
Salazar had another opportunity at the goal in the 78th minute when she received a ball over the top from defender Mikaela Marr down the right wing. Salazar beat two defenders but had her shot deflected by the Cougars.
Within the final 10 minutes and APU’s season on the line, the Cougars found a burst of energy in search of the equalizer. Cougars forward Faith Crouse fired a shot from just outside the box, in which Bronco goalkeeper Jenna Tetrault made a comfortable save.
APU’s final chance came in the final 39 seconds of the match from a free kick that saw every player on the pitch condensed in the Broncos penalty area. The Broncos were able to clear away the danger and run out the clock.
The Broncos left with a 1-0 victory, another NCAA West Regional Champions and a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Ortiz and Rivas both expressed the feeling of the final whistle being heard at the last home game of the 2025 season.
“It’s our last home game, and so I don’t think there could have been a better way to end it,” Ortiz said. “I’m just really grateful for it. We had so many friends and family, and then, like Lina said, being able to embrace your friends. We’ve overcome so much adversity throughout the season, and whether it’s through games, what we’re like off the field, training, little moments that have built us and brought us to this moment, it just made the victory that much neater.”
The Broncos then traveled to Dallas, Texas and faced of the No.1 team in the country in Dallas Baptist University, Dec 6. The Broncos bested the Patriots with a final score of 2-0, with goals from Salazar and Cruz.
CPP punched their ticket to the Final Four, where they face off against Florida Tech, Dec. 11. The winner of this match will solidify their spot in the NCAA National Championship match.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
