By Jacob Rodriguez, Nov. 19, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona men’s soccer team captured a share of the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season title, and the women’s team capped off the regular season with a victory over Cal State San Bernardino Nov. 7.
The men’s team earned the title of CCAA regular season co-champions alongside Cal State Dominguez Hills, marking the program’s first title since 2018 and first under head coach Matt O’Sullivan.
The Broncos capped off the season with an 11-1-6 overall record and 6-0-5 record in CCAA play to secure the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, as they will face Cal State East Bay Nov. 15.
Midfielder Daniel Gutierrez took an early shot attempt in the first minute of the game that was saved by CSUSB goalkeeper JP Camacho.
CPP found success at the net for a 1-0 advantage at 3:22 behind a goal by midfielder Max Laguna, adding to his career-best season total of eight goals.
The Broncos maintained possession of the ball and continued to put pressure on the Coyotes’ defense, racking up nine shots to the Coyotes’ one.
CPP doubled its lead with a penalty kick at 35:50 by tri-captain defender Jasper Winslow for a 2-0 advantage. This goal marked Winslow’s first of the season and his fifth career for the Broncos.
“It was a great moment getting the penalty kick and my first goal of the season,” said Winslow. “I felt pretty confident stepping up and taking advantage of the opportunity.”
CPP’s defense held CSUSB to two shots in the second half, limiting any momentum on offense from its opponent, despite the five yellow cards called against CPP.
O’Sullivan highlighted how the team’s two early goals set the tone for the rest of the game.
“I felt like we played smart soccer today,” said O’Sullivan. “We got territory a lot, which helped us in many ways. I think sometimes doing the simplest things in soccer is important, and for us to do that enough, we’re able to win comfortably in the end.”
The No. 4-ranked women’s team hosted CSUSB at Kellogg Arena, where the Broncos looked to secure their spot atop the CCAA conference heading into the postseason.
Both teams were unable to attempt any shots throughout the first eight minutes due to both teams’ defenses clearing out any offensive attacks.
“At the end of the season the games get more difficult because of the accumulation of the effort, the knocks, the bumps and our conference being extremely physical,” said head coach Jay Mason. “It’s a testament to our team’s depth, their discipline off the field to take care of themselves to make sure that we’re in a good state of mind and physical being for us to be able to play like that.”
Forward Tara Oper delivered a corner kick that would find midfielder Auburn Burnett in the penalty box at 21:38. Burnett crossed it to forward Angelina Rivas, who headed the ball past Coyotes goalkeeper Leila Peregrina to give the Broncos the 1-0 advantage.
Burnett earned her fourth assist, while Rivas collected her 10th career goal and fourth of the season.
The Broncos dominated the possessions throughout the first half, collecting 13 shots to the Coyotes’ zero, with their defense being able to prevent any momentum for CSUSB.
“We talked a little bit about tempo and being quicker,” said Mason. “I think the girls started to see we’re enjoying the ball higher up the field. Instead of when we played a slower tempo, we’re forced into some longer balls because teams could adjust their press.”
CSUSB responded quickly to tie the game 1-1 off a scramble play in front of the Broncos’ net at 46:19 in the second half.
The Broncos wasted no time. Rivas fired a right-footed that found the back of the net and put CPP ahead 2-1 at 51:18.
“Getting the first goal was insane; it defiantly set the tone for everybody,” said Rivas. “I’ve been trying to pull one out all season, and it’s just the beginning. It got to Auburn’s head, and then I just had to flick it. Getting the goal that put us over after the tie was exhilarating and gave us a burst of energy and hope that we would be fine.”
Reigning CCAA Defensive Player of the Week Liberty Ortiz added an insurance goal, her third of the season, off a second assist from Oper to extend the Broncos lead 3-1 in the 63rd minute.
Oper currently leads the CCAA in assists with seven.
“I usually go for corners until the last goal of games,” said Ortiz. “I have gotten my head on a few corners and haven’t been able to counter them. I saw a gap I could run into, and I motioned to Tara to find my head. She drove it in, and as soon as it hit my head, I knew it was going in, and I was very excited. It’s always nice to be up by two because we’re able to play comfortably.”
Ortiz’s goal capped off a dominant offensive performance by CPP to secure the victory.
CPP collected another 11 shots in the second half, recording a total of 24 shots to CSUSB’s three.
The Broncos improved to 8-1-2 in CCAA play and 15-1-2 overall, finishing with the third-best record in program history.
“We now look forward to recovering and getting ready for the Semis,” said Mason.
The win over CSUSB secured the No. 1 seed in the CCAA tournament for the Broncos and earned the team a bye week.
CPP is set to face off against Stanislaus State in the semifinals Nov. 15.
Photos courtesy of CPP Athletics
