By Jacob Rodriguez, April 29, 2025
The Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team welcomed its alumnae back for its annual preseason CPP Alumni Game at the practice fields April 19, celebrating the program’s first NCAA Division II National Championship and the contributions of all involved with this historic feat.
Four teams participated in a seven-vs-seven round-robin tournament in which every team played each other, and the two best-performing teams competed in the final game. The games consisted of 15-minute matches, and each team included a mixture of current, former, and future Broncos, packing the pitch once more in this tournament.
Broncos head coach Jay Mason said it was a great opportunity for the incoming freshman to participate in the event, understand the culture and what they are getting into.
“Everyone’s been a part of the culmination of all the hard work and building our culture,” Mason said. “It’s really nice to see (the alumni) come back today and hear some of their stories and what they are achieving out in the community, and that’s something we preach with our group.”
Team Taco, Team Carrot Crew, Team Poster Children, and Team Bust Down Broncos clashed for the opportunity to win this tournament.
The tournament’s first game was an exciting match between Team Taco and Team Carrot Crew. Team Taco took an early 3-goal lead in the first half, finding goals through a deflection off the goalkeeper and a tap-in after a free kick.
Despite Team Carrot Crew scoring twice within the last two minutes of play, Team Taco held on for a 3-2 victory.
Junior Vannessa Cruz expressed her appreciation for playing in this preseason tournament and for the support from her former Broncos.
“Being a part of the alumni game meant a lot to me,” Cruz said. “They built this program from the bottom up, and it was special to be able to bring them in.”
The tournament’s second game was between Team Poster Children and Team Bust Down Broncos. Team Bust Down took a 2-goal lead, with senior Tara Oper opening the scoring. They held onto the lead for the rest of the game, with strong defensive plays from 2017 alumna and goalkeeper Ricki Ives, recording four saves to give the Bust Down Broncos a 2-0 victory.
Ives, who played for the Broncos from 2014 to 2017, stepped back into the net once again. The CCAA All-Academic and one of the career leaders in saves (234), shutouts (24), and wins (41) detailed her experience coming back into the field.
“It’s really special,” Ives said. “My grandpa played baseball here, my mom went to school here, I met my husband here, and have two beautiful kids now, so being able to come back and get to experience it all again and see everything they cultivated from when I was here to now they’re national champions.”
Ives added her favorite moment was returning and having fun while seeing familiar faces again.
After seven more games and tallying up each team’s record, it came down to a rematch between Team Taco and Carrot Crew playing in the tournament’s final matchup, with Carrot Crew avenging their loss against Team Taco in the first game to win the tournament.
The Broncos’ spring schedule will end against UC San Diego on April 26, and they will focus on defending their national title.
“This whole spring was in whole preparation for the fall,” Mason said. “Building our younger players and giving them the opportunity and confidence and getting ready for what’s coming.”
Feature image courtesy of CPP Women’s Soccer
