By Karina Perez, Sept. 17, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s soccer team won both home-opening games at Kellogg Stadium while the men’s soccer team split its season openers away at Biola and Point Loma Sept. 5 and Sept. 7.
Midfielder Marisa Salazar recorded seven shots on goal with three goals in just two games to earn her first California Collegiate Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week and goalkeeper Bella Hara totaled four saves on the weekend to earn CCAA Defensive Player of the Week.
In the first women’s soccer matchup of the season, a steal by defender Giselle Samay disrupted a scoreless first half to put the Broncos in scoring position. Forward Angelina Rivas assisted a goal by midfielder Marisa Salazar to give the Broncos their first home win of the season over Vanguard 1-0.
“The offensive play and the pass from Angelina [Rivas] to Marisa [Salazar], getting into that tight spot was great for the win,” said head coach Jay Mason.
Goalkeeper Bella Hara maintained focus to save three shots on goal, leaving the Lions scoreless to mark her eighth shutout for CPP.
“We’re always really excited for the first game of the season with intentions to win always on our mind,” said Hara.
The Broncos faced the Biola Eagles in their second non-conference matchup in the opening weekend.
Midfielder Auburn Burnett collected her fifth career assist to set up a goal by Salazar in the first half at 17:02. Salazar remained hot throughout the second half scoring a second goal off an assist by Tara Oper. This was Oper’s first assist of the season and ninth career total.
The Broncos outshot the Eagles 15-6, Rivas led all players with five and Salazar tied her career-high shots on goal with four. Salazar’s three goals this season matched her freshman debut season and increased her total career goals to eight.
Hara recorded one save for her ninth career shutout, totaling four saves on the weekend and a 2-0 victory over Biola at home.
The men’s soccer team earned its first win of the season over Biola away, outshooting the Eagles 12-4.
Transfer midfielder Marc Birkelund recorded his first assist as a Bronco behind a goal by midfielder Woody Angell in the second half, his sixth career goal.
In the final three minutes of the game, reserve forward Rocco Bon scored his first collegiate goal on his first shot of the game, and goalkeeper Luke Garciduenas collected three saves in the second half to secure the 2-0 victory over Biola.
“I think it was a good win to get us started off with the season,” said Garciduenas. “We scored the second goal later on, but I say we pretty much dominated the whole game and created the better chances.”
The Broncos went 1-1 on the weekend after their second matchup resulted in a 1-0 defeat to the Point Loma Sealions when a goal was made at the 64:46 mark by senior forward Austin Lovell for his third career game-winning goal.
Head coach Matt O’Sullivan attributed the loss to a few mistakes and failure to create balance that allowed the Sealions to capitalize on their lack of organization in the box.
“Preparation wise, we want to bounce back,” said O’Sullivan. “We need to show our personality, commitment and desire and not lose our identity.”
In the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, the Broncos remained in the top 25, heading into next week at No. 21 despite an unranked loss.
Feature image courtesy of Leroy Crook